This initiative comes in response to a skilled labor shortage in European countries, leading the Maharashtra state government to sign an agreement with Baden-Wurttemberg in February of this year. As part of this effort, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Goethe Institut Max Muller Bhawan in Pune and the State Council of Educational Research and Training to facilitate German language instruction.

Thirty specific areas have been identified to supply at least 10,000 skilled workers in various sectors to Baden-Wurttemberg on a trial basis. “Free German language classes will commence for eligible candidates after they register. In this context, five training centers are expected to open in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad starting next month,” stated Balkrishna Watekar, principal of the Pune district education and training institute.

He further explained that the government will offer extra free skill development training for young people, focusing on specific sectors to help close the gap between the educational curriculum of Baden-Wurttemberg and that of Maharashtra.