Unit introduction

This unit will familiarize the participants with the system of community colleges in the United States and the landscape of vocational education and skill development in India. By the end of this unit, participants will have a good understanding of the landscape, regulatory framework, policies around community colleges, vocational education, skill development and institutions offering vocational and skill courses including community colleges in the United States and India.

This unit has been developed by Dr. (Ms.) Swati Mujumdar, Founder and Pro-Chancellor of Symbiosis Skills & Professional University, Pune and Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences, Indore, India and Dr. (Ms.) Robin Matross Helms, Vice President, Membership & Educational Services, Association of Community College Trustees, USA.

The Vocational Education and Skill Development sector in India has seen unprecedented growth in the last few years. With a focus on creating a globally employable workforce, the Government of India has initiated several schemes under the Skill India Mission. Similarly, the Community College System in the United States has also grown in its popularity and is recognized as a powerful alternative to higher education. Community colleges and vocational institutions play a crucial role in skill development by offering affordable, accessible, and targeted education designed to meet the needs of both individuals and the job market. These institutions provide practical, hands-on training in various trades, technical fields, and emerging sectors, equipping students with the skills required for immediate employment or career advancement. One of their key strengths lies in their flexibility and responsiveness to local economic needs, allowing them to adapt programs that address current workforce demands. Moreover, they offer opportunities for lifelong learning, upskilling, and reskilling, making them vital for individuals seeking to stay competitive in a rapidly changing job landscape.

Facilitator bios

Dr. Swati Mujumdar is an international Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Skill development, and higher education expert. She has had a long and distinguished career in higher education and skill development. She has been advising governments at the national & international level on policy related matters in higher education, vocational education, & skill development. Dr Swati Mujumdar is a passionate proponent of skill education and founder of India’s pioneering skill universities, namely Symbiosis Skills & Professional University, Pune and Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences, Indore. With an investment of over $100 million, the two universities have a strategic focus on developing skill competencies in students aligned to the needs of the industry. She has taken special initiatives for women’s empowerment by initiating large industry collaborative projects in technology, manufacturing and engineering to rural and underprivileged girls and women on future skills with a view to providing them jobs. Her initiatives have made major impacts in bridging skill gaps, creating a large pool of skilled youth aligned to industry needs, bringing women into STEM education, and increasing women’s participation in the workforce.

Dr. (Ms.) Robin Matross Helms, is vice president for membership and educational services at the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).  In this role, Dr, Helms leads and guides the association’s member benefits and engagement initiatives, as well as trustee education programs, board services, publications and events. Prior to joining ACCT, Dr. Helms led programs and global initiatives at the American Council on Education, where her portfolio focused on institutional transformation, student success, higher education leadership development, global engagement, and equity and inclusion. Previously, Robin has worked in international education and academic affairs at the University of Minnesota, the Institute of International Education, EF Education, and CET Academic Programs. She has also served as a consultant to a number of organizations in the international and higher education fields, including the World Bank, the Institute for Higher Education Policy, and Harvard University’s Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education, and is a member of the National Academy for International Education. Dr. Helms holds a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies from Princeton University, and an MBA and PhD in higher education administration from Boston College.

Welcome message from facilitators