The Canadian Education Council (CEC) has begun implementing its International Employment License (IEL) programme in collaboration with the State of Maharashtra, with plans to extend it to students and graduates across India. An MoU has been signed between the two parties.
The IEL is an assessment and certification that replaces the traditional CV with a verified digital profile. It captures a candidate’s English ability, technical skills, personality traits and career alignment, so employers see what a graduate can actually do rather than what a résumé claims. For universities, it offers a standard way to prepare students for the world of work.
The Maharashtra rollout is being guided by Ms Sunita Krishnan, Regional Director, CEC, and Mr Prakash V Page, Principal Advisor to the programme. Mr Page is the Legal and Commercial Advisor for the Higher and Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra, and was behind the creation of the Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd (MKCL).
“Too many capable graduates leave college with a degree but no clear way to show an employer what they can do,” said Ms Sunita Krishnan, Regional Director, Canadian Education Council. “The IEL changes that. A student gets trained, assessed and licensed, and their strengths are visible to employers from day one. We are grateful to the State of Maharashtra for the partnership, and we want every graduate in India to have this opportunity.”
CEC works with universities, colleges and knowledge institutions to close the gap between education and employment. It has employers in more than 25 countries and gives IEL-licensed students access to them. Students can train and get licensed across more than 20 domains, including pharmacy, engineering, IT, business, accounting and finance, and skilled trades, for both remote and on-site roles.
The programme has already placed students in Nepal, Bangladesh, Egypt and the Gulf region. CEC is now opening it to graduates and postgraduates in India.
