New Delhi: Salesforce has announced its collaboration with SmartBridge, a talent accelerator and edtech organization, to support the ‘YuvaAI Bharat: GenAI Skill Catalyst’ program—a nationwide initiative designed to equip learners across India with future-ready AI skills.
The program aims to train 100,000 learners by the end of 2026, targeting both students and professionals.
Bridging the Gap between Academia and Industry
Led by SmartBridge, the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academia and the workforce by offering scalable AI training through Salesforce Trailhead, the company’s free online learning platform. Trailhead will deliver a blended model of live expert sessions and self-paced learning, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience in AI and digital technologies.
Upon completion, learners will earn digital credentials that validate their expertise in AI-driven business applications. The program places a strong emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, helping learners achieve the ‘Agentblazer Champion Level,’ a credential that enhances employability through industry-aligned learning.
This collaboration also aligns with Salesforce’s vision to prepare the workforce for the AI era by addressing the growing digital skills gap. Participants will also gain exposure to Agentforce, Salesforce’s enterprise-grade system for agentic AI, enabling businesses to become Agentic Enterprises, organizations that integrate AI into their core operations.
Trailhead: Powering Learning and Employability
Trailhead has become a cornerstone of Salesforce’s global skilling ecosystem, breaking barriers to education by offering free, flexible, and practical learning paths. Learners can earn resume-worthy certifications and join the vast Salesforce community of 3.9 million Trailblazers in India—one of the company’s largest and most active communities worldwide.
More than 3,000 colleges across India already use Trailhead to train thousands of students and educators in critical AI and CRM skills, laying the foundation for a digitally empowered workforce.
Leaders Speak on the Collaboration
Arundhati Bhattacharya, President and CEO of Salesforce South Asia, said, “India, with its immense talent pool, is not just participating in the global AI transformation—it is poised to lead it. Unlocking this unprecedented AI opportunity requires equipping our people with future-ready AI skills to innovate and build the future. Our partnership with SmartBridge furthers the IndiaAI mission and embodies Salesforce’s deep commitment to fostering trusted, inclusive innovation, particularly in this agentic era, building a future where AI empowers everyone.”
Amarendar Katkam, Founder & CEO, SmartBridge, said, “At SmartBridge, our mission has always been to bridge the gap between academia and industry by making emerging technology skills accessible to all. Partnering with Salesforce and IndiaAI allows us to scale this vision nationwide – empowering students, educators, and professionals with the practical, job-ready AI skills needed to thrive in the future workforce.”
Kavita Bhatia, Group Coordinator (AI & ET Div., MeitY) & COO, IndiaAI, said, “India’s youth are the driving force of our AI future. Through the YuvaAI program under the IndiaAI Mission, we aim to unlock their potential with the right skills and opportunities. ‘YuvaAI Bharat: GenAI Skill Catalyst’ reflects this spirit—bringing together government, academia, and industry to inspire and train the next generation of AI innovators. We welcome partners like Salesforce and SmartBridge in shaping this transformative journey.”
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