With Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu’s backing, 1M1B (One Million for One Billion), an AI-focused skilling and UN-accredited organization, targets to train 50,000 youth, 30,000 job placements and 100 green entrepreneurs to support India’s growing green economy.
In an exclusive interview with CXO News and APAC News Network, Manav Subodh, Founder of 1M1B (One Million for One Billion), explained how its new initiative will bring transformation while being aligned with India’s Net Zero and Skill India missions.
A special initiative for the talented youngsters of Rayalaseema! 1M1B, a @UN-accredited organization building a future-ready technology workforce, has launched its first Green Skills Academy & Career Readiness center in Kuppam. Over the next few years, 1M1B will train 50,000 job… pic.twitter.com/hMgAjBKu4q
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) January 28, 2025
What motivated 1M1B to set up its first Green Skills Academy & Career Readiness Center in Kuppam? How does this initiative align with India’s larger green economy goals?
The 1M1B Green Skills Academy is a first-of-its-kind global initiative focused on climate equity and social impact on one side and internships and jobs on the other side. Kuppam was chosen for its growing university ecosystem, strategic location and strong government support. Backed by CM Chandrababu Naidu, it aims to develop a robust pipeline of green workforce and climate talent, aligning with India’s Net Zero, Green Hydrogen, and Skill India missions.
How is 1M1B working with the Andhra Pradesh government and other public sector entities to ensure the long-term success of this initiative?
1M1B has signed an MOU with the Kuppam Area Development Authority (KADA), Andhra Pradesh government, ensuring policy alignment and industry partnerships. Our collaboration with the education ecosystem and the public-private sector will further create a channel for real workplace experiences, industry visits, mentorship, internships, and jobs that will equip youth for long-term career growth in the green economy.
What specific green skills will students learn at the academy, and how are they tailored to meet industry demands in India and globally?
Students will gain technical skills from industry partners (solar, EV maintenance, AI-driven sustainability, e-waste management) and Fourth Industrial Revolution skills (problem-solving, collaboration, digital literacy). Combining hard and soft skills, the academy aims to be a Centre of Excellence and a climate talent hub, ensuring graduates are equipped for India’s 38M+ projected green jobs.
You aim to train 50,000 job aspirants and place 30,000 youngsters in jobs. How will you measure success beyond numbers, ensuring quality employment and career growth?
Beyond placements, success will be measured through job retention (6-12 months), employer feedback, salary progression, and startup creation. The academy will prepare youth for future jobs, focusing on Fourth Industrial Revolution skillsets, industry-aligned training, and early exposure to workplace projects, ensuring they leapfrog into the future economy.
The initiative aims to create 100 green energy entrepreneurs. What kind of business models will they be trained for, and what support will they receive to sustain and scale their ventures?
The academy will foster two entrepreneur types: climate-tech founders and majorly business partners driving last-mile adoption. Training includes business model innovation franchise models, solar installations, EV infrastructure, and green tech deployment. Support includes mentorship, funding access, access to loans and partnerships, enabling them to scale and integrate into India’s expanding green economy.
Are you collaborating with private sector companies, renewable energy firms, or global investors to provide mentorship, funding, or hiring opportunities for the trainees?
1M1B partners with green-tech firms to provide mentorship, funding access, apprenticeships, and hiring opportunities. Private-sector partnerships ensure hands-on industry exposure, while impact investors support entrepreneurial ventures, creating a robust talent pipeline for India’s clean energy and climate-tech revolution.
Rayalaseema has unique socio-economic challenges, including limited industrialization. How does 1M1B plan to ensure that trained individuals find local opportunities rather than migrating for jobs?
1M1B aims to empower and enable people so that they have choices—not force migration. By training youth in Geen ships, Green gigs and Green jobs, the academy also enables participation in India’s $455B gig economy. The goal is to make the 1M1B Green Skills Academy as Andhra’s green talent hub, empowering those who prefer local opportunities and giving opportunities to others who want to leverage opportunities outside.
How does 1M1B’s initiative align with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, Skill India, and other government programs focused on clean energy and employment?
Based on a unique public-private- partnership model the academy integrates green hydrogen skilling, AI-driven sustainability, and carbon management training, supporting India’s Green Hydrogen Mission. Skill India-backed certifications ensure employability, while integration with Startup India fosters entrepreneurship, creating a skilled workforce to accelerate India’s clean energy transition and Net Zero vision.
If successful, do you see this public-private model being replicated in other states or rural areas? What key learnings from Kuppam could inform future expansions?
While too early for replication, a hub-and-spoke model with satellite centres is under consideration. A Centre of Excellence in Kuppam will serve as a blueprint for public-private partnerships, inviting industry leaders to co-create a globally recognized green skills model for large-scale impact.
Will the Green Skills Academy have a special focus on women’s participation in green jobs and entrepreneurship? What steps are being taken to ensure gender inclusivity in this initiative?
1M1B focuses on women-led entrepreneurship and workforce participation. The academy offers solar and green energy training, even skilling for the textile industry with a focus on sustainability. Through industry linkages, women will get access to mentorship, career development, safe workplace experiences, and pathways to jobs in India’s green economy.
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