Sydney-based BSI Learning has partnered with the International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA) to deliver an Australian hospitality qualification in India. The 12-month curriculum involves Australian trainers and assessors and Indian tutors and chefs. Together, they deliver virtual and on-site training in Delhi.
The Australia-India collaboration means trainees gain a globally recognised qualification at an affordable price without leaving India.
‘This is about equity and access,’ says Kala Philip, Chief Executive Officer, BSI Learning. ‘Our India program means young people can access Australian education. We can get qualifications into the hands of students in India who would never be able to afford international education.’
Taking vocational training to India
BSI Learning is a registered training organisation that specialises in vocational training. Founded in 2003, the company delivers learning programs across Australia and trains 5,000 students per year.
According to Philip, what makes BSI Learning special is its expertise in contextualised, industry-based training courses.
‘Our focus is on upskilling and reskilling the corporate workforce,’ she says. ‘We train students in 32 different qualifications across multiple sectors.’
During 2022, BSI Learning decided the time was right to break into transnational skills training.
‘We researched where we thought Australian education would deliver quality outcomes,’ says Philip. ‘That was the start of our journey with Austrade and India.’
Growing demand for world-class training
In September 2022, the Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX) hosted an event in Bangalore for companies interested in India. This was an opportunity for BSI Learning to explore prospects. In April 2023, Austrade invited BSI Learning to join an Australia India Future Skills Initiative mission to India.
‘It was instantly clear that India wants to engage with world-class education for their young talent,’ says Philip. ‘There is also an appetite for integrating Australian skills-based learning into current training programs.
‘Changes to India’s national education policy created an opportunity for new training-delivery concepts across borders. The policy also enables collaboration.’
One sector stood out: hospitality. According to Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for Education, Vik Singh, Australia is a natural partner for cross-border training in this sector.
‘Australia’s world-class skilling capabilities can play a crucial role in supporting India’s growing hospitality sector,’ he says.
BSI Learning’s India program is making Australian education available to students who might otherwise not be able to access international education.
Austrade helps explore partnership models
One key issue was how to deliver the training. The fact-finding mission helped Philip understand the different models of training delivery in universities and polytechnics in India. The next step was to find a partner.
‘Austrade arranged an introduction to the International Institute for Culinary Art in Delhi,’ says Philip. ‘We met the managing director at a networking dinner at the Australian High Commission in Delhi.’
The match was perfect. IICA and BSI Learning devised a course curriculum that could be delivered jointly by Australian and India instructors. Some training would be in-person, some virtual.
‘We mapped the IICA curriculum to our Australian qualification and units of competency,’ explains Philip. ‘We developed new content and designed a blended program so that graduates qualified for an Australian diploma: the SIT50422 Diploma of Hospitality.
‘The key point was cost. Our ability to design a comprehensive curriculum with IICA meant we could develop a course at an affordable price.’
First graduates within 12 months of launch
The partnership model proved instantly popular. The first cohort of 44 students joined the 12-month course in 2024 – barely a year after BSI Learning and IICA first teamed up.
The first 6 months of the course involves delivering India-originated content related to cooking. The following 6 months mostly involves Australian content. Some units are blended, and some involve instructor-led sessions with Australian trainers.
‘The course includes a 2-week immersive session where we send someone from Australia to the IICA campus in India,’ say Philip. ‘The trainer teaches Australian cooking techniques, but they also teach business skills. We want graduates to be entrepreneurs.’
Indian students, Australian trainers, global opportunities
The new diploma gives Indian trainees a passport to a global career. When they graduate, BSI Learning will refer the students to potential employers and hotels all over the world, including in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
Early success means BSI Learning plans to expand into other sectors, including IT, logistics and supply chain. Philip says there is clear demand for skills in these sectors – and enthusiasm.
‘In our experience, the young generation in India are open to new skills and enthusiastic about Australian collaboration,’ she says. ‘Australia is seen as a great partner to help young people achieve their vision.
‘For us, transnational education is about making programs accessible and empowering young talent.’
According to Singh, the joint venture shows the prospects for novel forms of collaboration between Indian and Australian skills organisations.
‘The partnership between BSI Learning and IICA is an excellent example of the synergies and business models that can be developed between skills-training organisations in Australia and India,’ he says.
Contact Vik Singh, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade for more information on the Australia India Future Skills Initiative.
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