In a landmark development for vocational education in India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and EHL Hospitality Business School, Switzerland formally launched the Vocational Education & Training/VET by EHL Diploma (Advance) under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). This event was a milestone to formally align a globally recognized programme to India’s skill ecosystem offering the youth academic credits under the National Credit Framework (NCrF) along with and industry-integrated training. Additionally, CII and IGNOU signed a MoU, to set up a CII-IGNOU Career Edge academy which will enable lateral recognition to students under IGNOU academic framework. Under the academy, CII-IGNOU will work together to introduce Industry aligned programs.
The evening brought together officials from NCVET, senior Industry stakeholders, and academicians to celebrate this transformative moment in India’s skill development landscape. The ceremony witnessed the introduction of the first international NSQF-aligned Advance Diploma programme, which will also allow lateral entry under IGNOU.
Among the key dignitaries present were Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU, Dr Vinita Aggarwal and Dr Neena Pahuja, Executive Member, NCVET, Prof. Markus Venzin, CEO, EHL Group, Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels, Mr Ajit Dias, Associate Vice President-HR, Indian Hotels Company Limited and Lokesh Sabharwal, VP, Operations – India & Southwest Asia, Hyatt Hotels.
Prof Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University said, “This landmark moment – with the NCVET accreditation of the VET by EHL program and the signing of the MoU between IGNOU and CII – signals a new era for skill development in India. Through the launch of the CII–IGNOU Career Edge Academy, we will integrate industry-recognised programs into IGNOU’s academic framework and expand similar opportunities across multiple sectors. This collaboration will empower youth with globally relevant skills, recognised credits in their academic bank, and career pathways aligned to the needs of a rapidly evolving industry.”
Dr Vinita Aggarwal, Executive Member, NCVET said, “The NCVET approval of the CII-EHL Advance Diploma Program marks a significant milestone in our journey to integrate global standards in India’s skill ecosystem. This approval is a testament to the program’s quality and it also highlights the role of industry collaboration in skill development. By partnering with a renowned institution like EHL and leading industry stakeholders, we are ensuring that our youth gain future-ready skills aligned with industry needs. Such collaborations exemplify our commitment to quality, innovation, and relevance in training, and are key to building a future-ready skilled workforce to drive India’s growth.”
Prof Markus Venzin, CEO, EHL Group, said, “Embedding the VET by EHL Program into India’s National Skills Framework under NSQF and NCrF is a landmark step in building a skilled, globally competitive hospitality workforce. Designed by EHL School of Practical Arts faculty and drawing from Switzerland’s proven model of combining classroom learning with real-world industry training, this program is adapted to India’s scale and diversity. Together with CII, we are creating consistent, high-quality pathways for young people across the country, enabling them to earn qualifications recognised worldwide and thrive in a rapidly evolving service economy.”
With over 1200 learners already trained under the program since its launch, this event is expected to accelerate the adoption of credit-based, globally benchmarked vocational training in India. The CII-EHL partnership stands as a model for how public-private-academic collaborations can reshape the future of workforce development.
