New Delhi: Microsoft has partnered with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in India to provide training to students and educators at government institutions. The collaboration aims to address the growing need for skilled professionals in areas such as AI, cloud computing, web development, and cybersecurity.
Courses at government institutions
The partnership will offer a wide range of courses to students and faculty members at government-led Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skills Training Institutions (NSTIs). These courses will equip participants with industry-relevant skills, enhancing their employability and connecting them with relevant job opportunities.
Approximately 6,000 students and 200 faculty members will benefit from this initiative, helping them enhance their skills and prepare for opportunities in the digital economy.
Minister of State of Skill Development, Electronics and IT , Rajeev Chandrasekhar said ,“With acceleration in digitalization post-Covid, there has been a huge demand for talent and skilled workforce in the tech space. Our platforms like DGTs, ITIs and STIs are driving the skilling efforts from the frontline.”
The training program aims to empower young students with industry-relevant skills, improving their employability and connecting them to job opportunities. It offers training in AI fluency, cloud computing, web development, and includes learning from industry experts and participation in deep-dive sessions and capstone projects.
Train-the-Trainer workshops will empower faculty members on AI, cloud computing, web development, Power BI, and soft skills. These trained faculty members can then provide training to ITI students in computer operator and programming assistant (COPA) programs .This cascade model will enable the dissemination of knowledge and skills to a broader audience, creating a multiplier effect.
Microsoft’s take on skill development
“Empowering India’s youth with digital skills is crucial to building economic resilience and ensuring a brighter future for all. We are pleased to collaborate with DGT to train the country’s youth with the skills to succeed in today’s digital economy,” said Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice president and president, National Transformation Partnerships, Microsoft.
Microsoft collaborates with non-profit organizations to provide a wide range of courses. With DGT’s support, Microsoft will assist in placing successful
learners by partnering with recruitment agencies, placement agencies, and organizing job fairs to create employment opportunities.
With over 20,000 employees across 11 cities in India, Microsoft aims to accelerate digital transformation across startups, businesses, and government organizations by providing global cloud services from local data centres.
Expansion of ‘CyberShikshaa’ program
The partnership will also expand the ‘CyberShikshaa’ program, which focuses on basic and intermediate cybersecurity skills training, to include students and educators at 10 NSTIs for women.
