New Delhi: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has partnered with Microsoft to roll out an AI training initiative aimed at improving women’s participation in the tech workforce. Titled AI Careers for Women, the programme will provide industry-aligned artificial intelligence training to female students in higher education institutions across six states.
Focus on AI Skills in Underserved Areas
The initiative will follow a hub-and-spoke model, with 30 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) serving as hubs and 150 educational institutions acting as spokes. These institutions will be located primarily in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, highlighting an effort to decentralise access to AI education.
According to the ministry, the 240-hour curriculum has been developed under Microsoft’s AI Skilling and Innovation Framework, in consultation with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). The training will focus on real-world, industry-relevant AI applications and will be integrated into credit-linked university programmes.
Aligning with NEP and Industry Needs
Officials state that the programme is in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP), which promotes flexibility and interdisciplinary learning in higher education. The move also reflects the government’s broader strategy to align vocational education with evolving industry demands, especially in emerging technologies like AI.
“The partnership represents a step towards building a skilled, inclusive workforce by embedding future-ready skills into formal education,” said Jayant Chaudhary, Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. He added that the effort is aimed at preparing young women to become active participants in the digital economy.
