The Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, under the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, has expressed interest in joining hands with Kerala in the establishing proposed State Construction Academy in Kerala.
Labour Minister Shibu Baby John, who is on a week-long visit to Singapore, held discussions with the officials of the Enterprise in this regard this afternoon.
The Enterprise offered help in drawing up the curriculum and training trainers of the Academy during discussions. It was also willing to provide certification for the students and help them with placement.
The Minister told The Hindu over phone from Singapore that the State government would consider signing a memorandum of understanding with the Enterprise. The matter would be decided after discussion with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on his return to the State on Tuesday.
Tie ups with suitable institutions in the United Kingdom or Germany were also under consideration. He might visit the United Kingdom also in this regard. The objective was to have an Academy of international standards which would help the unemployed youth in finding jobs abroad with special skills.
Mr. John said that he would be visiting the industrial training centres in Singapore later in the day with the objective of raising the standards of training centres in Kerala to international levels.
The proposals include training programmes in collaboration with Singapore.
The Minister is in Singapore on an invitation from the Singapore Building and Construction Authority under the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise. He is accompanied by Labour Secretary Anil Xavier and Director of Industrial Training K. Biju.
