Mumbai: Glance, an AI-driven platform for android lock screen engagement, has joined hands with upGrad, one of Asia’s leading skilling and workforce development companies, to provide free upskilling courses through the “Glance for Good” initiative. This collaboration will leverage Glance Smart Lock Screens to offer access to upGrad’s Intern-Zip program, targeting young Indians aged 20-24 with job-ready skills.
The Intern-Zip program focuses on foundational skills such as technical expertise, soft skills, and professional development. With unemployment among graduates at 13.4%, this initiative aims to bridge the skills gap, enabling youth to confidently enter the workforce. Users are prompted on their lock screens with a summary of the program and a tappable link redirecting them to upGrad for more details.
Reaching over 235 million users daily, nearly half under 24 years old, Glance has become an ideal platform to scale upGrad’s reach. Within three weeks of the partnership, upGrad’s content garnered over 100 million views, reflecting its massive impact.
Piyush Shah, Co-founder of InMobi and COO & President of Glance, emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative, saying, “By integrating upGrad’s workforce-ready content into smart lock screens, we’re creating opportunities for youth to excel in their professional journey.”
Mayank Kumar, Co-founder of upGrad, highlighted India’s strategic advantage, stating, “Our partnership with Glance allows us to scale our skilling initiatives, supporting youth migration towards a tech-driven economy and AI-first businesses.”
APAC News Analysis:
India has one of the youngest populations with a median age of 28 and 50% of the population under the age of 25. This puts the country in an advantageous position where it can harness its demographic dividend by nurturing a workforce equipped with employable skills. However, the issue arises as many young citizens lack the skills needed by a modern economy. Therefore, initiatives like these are critical for tapping the full potential of the young workforce. As India aims to become a $5 trillion economy, skilling initiatives play a crucial role in shaping a resilient labor market and fostering long-term economic growth. The government has also increased its focus on upskilling initiatives for the youth as also reflected in the Union Budget 2024-2025, furthering the goal of achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
This partnership highlights how emerging startups too can contribute to the upskilling efforts by leveraging the power of technology. Moreover, a growing number of startups pitching in through similar initiatives can also help ensure innovation and accessibility in the upskilling opportunities available for the youth.
