By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

On September 1, 2026, Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute (DBITI), Kurla, officially launched the Indo-German Bridge Course in the Fr Santino Mondini Hall. Implemented in close partnership with GIZ India under the Indo-German Green Skills Programme (IGGSP), the initiative bridges technical trade capabilities with specialized German language modules to equip vocational trainees for direct career integration in Germany.

The inauguration was graced by Chief Guest Mr Christoph Rendtorff, Deputy Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mumbai; Dr Rodney Reviere, Cluster Head (SPSD), GIZ India; Fr Anthony Pinto, Rector and Director; Mr Mohamed Badran, Head of Project (IGGSP), GIZ India; Mr Shivraj Jagtap, Advisor to the German Consulate; Dr Usha Ganesh, Senior Advisor, GIZ; Mr Tarun Maske, GIZ India and Mr Amarr Prabhu, Principal.

Emphasizing linguistic adaptability, Fr Pinto shared: "Mastering a language opens an authentic window into another culture." Dr Reviere motivated the batch by recounting how, despite being an American native, he successfully picked up the German language. Mr Rendtorff underscored broader geographic and industrial opportunities stating: "Germany is the world’s fourth-largest economy. Beyond key metropolises like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, language proficiency is what truly connects you to our industrial regions and communities."

The program is the fruit of thorough planning between DBITI and GIZ India. As one of 12 selected pilot training institutions nationwide, DBITI would be conducting an intensive supplementary program of up to 240 hours mapped against the German reference occupation.  It targets critical competency gaps, green mobility, and vocational German (B1 to B2 level). Addressing the trainees, Mr Badran commended Don Bosco and particularly acknowledged Mr Prabhu for his bold foresight in commencing the bridge course.

Highlighting the institutional relevance, Mr Prabhu noted: "Our vision is to transform technical training into a globally recognized standard for our trainees." He also added, "Coupling hands-on workshop mastery with German language fluency gives our technicians a decisive edge abroad.” In an impressive highlight, trainees Curtis Fernandes and Abhay Sawant addressed the dignitaries fluently in German. Trainee Abhay Sawant expressed: "Learning German here has transformed our aspirations of working abroad into an achievable reality."

Following the vote of thanks by Mr Prabhu, the dignitaries interacted with the trainees. Future plans envision scaling this bridging model across additional trades, furthering the Salesian mission to equip deserving youth with global competencies, dignity of labour, and transformative livelihoods.