NSDC International Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), has embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with Sompo Care Inc., one of Japan’s leading care service providers. This unique partnership aims to provide training programmes for Indian nursing care personnel and facilitate their integration into Japan.
With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, India holds immense potential for growth and opportunities abroad. NSDC International proactively develops high-quality human resources under the Government of India’s “Skill India Mission”. By enhancing skills and facilitating work opportunities abroad, the organization aims to support industrial development and ensure a brighter future for the Indian workforce.
This partnership not only aims to bridge the gap and enhance the quality-of-care services in Japan but also seeks to provide mutual benefits by addressing the workforce shortages in Japan and creating employment opportunities for skilled Indian professionals. It’s a win-win situation for both countries and a significant step towards enhancing the global healthcare sector.
Sompo Care offers a comprehensive range of services, including fee-based nursing care homes, serviced senior residences, group homes, and in-home care. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sompo Holdings, Inc., a major insurer in Japan. It operates in domestic property and casualty insurance, overseas insurance, domestic life insurance, and nursing care. In 2007, Sompo Holdings expanded into the Indian market by investing in Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Limited, which distributes general insurance products throughout India. Through this collaboration, Sompo Care strives to achieve “security, health, and well-being” globally.
Speaking about the partnership, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC & MD, NSDC International, said:
We are thrilled to announce the commencement of our collaboration with SOMPO Care Inc. This partnership marks a significant milestone for NSDC International, as it allows us to provide specialized training programs for Indian nursing care personnel, enhancing their skills and preparing them for opportunities in Japan. Together, we aim to bridge the gap in healthcare services and support the global demand for skilled nursing professionals. This initiative opens new avenues for our workforce and strengthens the healthcare bond between India and Japan.
This collaborative effort aims to develop highly motivated and skilled Indian nursing care personnel ready for immediate deployment. Sompo Care will continue to support their professional growth even after they begin working in its facilities. In the future, the company envisions that those who gain experience as nursing care staff in Japan will contribute significantly to the nursing care industry in India. The effectiveness of the pilot project and training programme will be rigorously evaluated and refined as needed. Based on the results, Sompo Care will explore the potential for expanding operations in India and aim to establish a full-scale collaboration model.
Takamitsu Washimi, Representative Director, President and CEO of Sompo Care, added:
We are happy to begin our collaboration with NSDC International. Guided by our management’s “Respect for Humanity” philosophy, we aim to provide optimal care tailored to each elderly individual. We are committed to developing care personnel with specialized knowledge and skills. We are confident that the training programme, developed based on our expertise and experience, will enhance the skills of Indian care personnel. We hope that those who complete the training will work with a sense of fulfilment and pride in Japan’s nursing care sector. Through this collaboration, we aspire to build a better future through cooperation between Japan and India.
The first initiative under this collaboration is a pilot project set to commence in August 2024 and run through 2025. This project will provide Indian nursing care personnel with nine months of comprehensive education and training in India, after which they will be accepted as specified skilled workers at Sompo Care facilities in Japan.
Sompo Care, leveraging its extensive knowledge and experience in Japan, will develop original training programmes in addition to the Japanese language courses conducted by NSDC International. These comprehensive programmes will emphasize understanding Japanese style nursing care, learning practical care terminology, and mastering cross-cultural communication. The training will be a blend of online modules, e-learning, and practical care skills sessions conducted on-site in India, ensuring a well-rounded and thorough preparation for the Indian nursing care personnel.
