CII, EHL launch global diploma aligned to India’s NSQF

MoU with IGNOU to boost industry-ready vocational training nationwide

The Confederation of Indian Industry and EHL Hospitality Business School launched India’s first NSQF-aligned international advanced diploma, alongside a CII-IGNOU partnership to expand industry-integrated, credit-based vocational training nationwide.

In a landmark development for vocational education in India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and EHL Hospitality Business School, Switzerland, formally launched the Vocational Education & Training (VET) by EHL Diploma (Advance) under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) today.

In a press statement, CII says that the programme aligns a globally recognised curriculum with India’s skill ecosystem, offering academic credits under the National Credit Framework (NCrF) alongside industry-integrated training.

The statement adds that the event also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CII and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to establish the CII-IGNOU Career Edge academy. This initiative will enable lateral recognition for students under IGNOU’s academic framework and introduce industry-aligned programs to enhance employability.

According to the statement, officials from the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), senior industry leaders, and academicians gathered to celebrate the launch of the first international NSQF-aligned Advance Diploma programme, which facilitates lateral entry into IGNOU’s academic courses.

Key persons present included Professor Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU, Vinita Aggarwal and Neena Pahuja, Executive Members of NCVET, Professor Markus Venzin, CEO of EHL Group and industry leaders like Anil Chadha, MD, ITC Hotels, Ajit Dias, AVP-HR, Indian Hotels Company and Lokesh Sabharwal, VP Operations for India & Southwest Asia, Hyatt Hotels.

“This landmark moment, with the NCVET accreditation of the VET by EHL programme and the signing of the MoU between IGNOU and CII, signals a new era for skill development in India. Through the launch of the CII–IGNOU Career Edge Academy, we will integrate industry-recognised programs into IGNOU’s academic framework and expand similar opportunities across multiple sectors. This collaboration will empower youth with globally relevant skills, recognised credits in their academic bank, and career pathways aligned to the needs of a rapidly evolving industry,” says Kanjilal.

“The NCVET approval of the CII-EHL Advance Diploma Programme marks a significant milestone in our journey to integrate global standards in India’s skill ecosystem. This approval is a testament to the program’s quality and it also highlights the role of industry collaboration in skill development. By partnering with a renowned institution like EHL and leading industry stakeholders, we are ensuring that our youth gain future-ready skills aligned with industry needs. Such collaborations exemplify our commitment to quality, innovation, and relevance in training, and are key to building a future-ready skilled workforce to drive India’s growth,” says Aggarwal.

“Embedding the VET by EHL Programme into India’s National Skills Framework under NSQF and NCrF is a landmark step in building a skilled, globally competitive hospitality workforce. Designed by EHL School of Practical Arts faculty and drawing from Switzerland’s proven model of combining classroom learning with real-world industry training, this programme is adapted to India’s scale and diversity. Together with CII, we are creating consistent, high-quality pathways for young people across the country, enabling them to earn qualifications recognised worldwide and thrive in a rapidly evolving service economy,” says Venzin.

With over 1,200 learners already trained through the programme since its inception, this collaboration is expected to accelerate the adoption of credit-based, globally benchmarked vocational training in India.