Wed Sep 03 19:27:03 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Tamil Nadu government has partnered with Next Mittelstand GmbH, Germany, to introduce the German dual vocational training model (Ausbildung) to boost the MSME sector. This initiative, the first of its kind at the state level in India, will integrate on-the-job training with classroom instruction and include German language skills. Initially, 120 students will be trained across four trades, with plans to scale up to 23,000-25,000 students over ten years. The program aims to provide industry-ready skills, enhance employment opportunities both locally and in Europe, and strengthen industrial synergies with Germany.
**News Article:**
**Tamil Nadu to Adopt German Vocational Training Model to Bolster MSME Sector**
**CHENNAI, September 4, 2025** – In a landmark move to strengthen its MSME sector and equip its youth with globally recognized skills, the Tamil Nadu government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Next Mittelstand GmbH, Germany, to implement the German dual vocational training model, known as Ausbildung.
The agreement, formalized in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, marks the first formal implementation of the Ausbildung model at the state level in India. The program will integrate practical, on-the-job training with structured classroom instruction, conducted in close collaboration with Tamil Nadu’s technical training institutions and the Directorate of Technical Education. Selected students will also have the opportunity to complete part of their course in German institutions.
“The launch of the first-of-its-kind Ausbildung German dual vocational training model in our State will enable our youth and the MSME ecosystem to be future-ready,” stated Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa. “This partnership with Next Mittelstand GmbH will give our students the rare opportunity to train to German standards while gaining practical, industry-ready skills that are globally recognised.”
The pilot program will initially cover 120 students across four trades, with plans to scale up to 23,000-25,000 students over the next decade. The government anticipates the initiative will create over 20,000 employment opportunities by the end of the tenth year.
Darez Ahamed, Managing Director and CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu, emphasized the benefits for the state’s robust MSME sector. “Tamil Nadu has a strong foundation in the MSME sector, and the initiative will greatly benefit it.”
The 3.5-year program will also include German language instruction and adhere to internationally recognized standards. This will equip graduates with the skills to find employment not only within Tamil Nadu but also across Germany and Europe. Next Mittelstand GmbH will collaborate with other German companies, including RIW Dienstleistungs-GmbH, Christiani GmbH & Co. KG, and TecMed GmbH, to implement the program.
The initiative is expected to strengthen industrial ties between Tamil Nadu and Germany, particularly in sectors such as automotive, electric vehicles, electronics, and advanced manufacturing. The government views this partnership as a significant step towards inclusive growth and creating equal opportunities for its youth.
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