By Clare Morley AAT newsAAT India: using new technology to bridge the skills gap12 Feb 2014 While the Indian economy accelerates in growth, it is estimated it will need to have trained 500 million skilled workers in eight years to service its economy. Clare Morley, AAT’s Director of Global Development, outlines how AAT is harnessing new technology to help the Asian country meet its vocational learning needsIn January I went to New Delhi with our Chief Executive, Jane Scott Paul, and the Minister for Skills & Enterprise, Matthew Hancock, to launch India’s first mobile Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) with our partners in India, Floream.It was exciting not only to be in India (which certainly has a buzz) but to see our qualification being adapted to suit the needs of the Indian market.The Government and the National Skills Development Corporation have a large job on their hands. The economy in India is growing at an astronomical rate, and it has been estimated that by 2022 the country will need to have trained an estimated 500 million skilled workers to service their economy.The Indian Government is looking to countries such as the UK, and to professional membership bodies and training providers like AAT, for advice and expertise. They want to use high value vocational learning to give their economy the skilled workforce they need now and in the future. Equally, we are learning a great deal from the way India is dealing with the huge skills training issues it needs to address.AAT and India: an exciting collaborationIndia’s rapid growth provides exciting opportunities and collaboration for organisations like ours.Businesses will benefit from knowing they have trained employees through an international recognised qualification provider. And employees will have tangible skills in finance and accounting from day one. Strong financial management is essential for each and every business!Our free learning mobile app will provide practical finance and accounting skills for those that want a solid career in finance and accountancy.An interactive learning environmentModules will be ‘bite size’ in a range of areas such as mathematics for accounting, recording transactions and accounting documents to name a few. Students can also share their progress and with colleagues in an interactive learning environment.People in India are learning in the most remote locations through low-cost technology. Mobile phone use in India has proliferated in recent years, and it’s wonderful to think that people even in the most far-flung areas have access to learning and qualifications, enabling them to develop their skills.There is a real ‘demand’ in India for education. Through high value vocational learning we can play a strong role in developing and ensuring people from all around the globe have the right skills to match their local economies.More information on AAT India is available on the official website. Clare Morley is AAT's former Director of Global Development.