Microsoft to train 10 million job seekers in India

In a bid to help job seekers, Microsoft India launched an employability initiative ‘DigiSaksham’ which will offer free training in digital and technical skills. Microsoft India has tied up with the union labour and employment ministry and looks to provide training in advance computing to more than 3 lakh youth in the first year and eventually train 10 million job seekers.

Jobseekers can access the training through National Career Service platform and the move shall offer priority to candidates from semi-urban and disadvantaged communities.

There would be three types of training including Digital Skills – Self paced learning, VILT mode training (Virtual Instructor led) and ILT mode training (Instructor led).  The ILT training which is in person training would be conducted at the Model Career Centres (MCCs)

In this endeavour, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme-India and its knowledge partner TMI e2E Academy would help in the implementation. For the effective roll-out of the initiative, Model career Centres (MCC) would be set up across the country.

The ministry said it is supporting states for setting-up model career centres and has already approved 207 MCCs and more are in the pipeline.

“Through this initiative, nearly 10 million active jobseekers registered on National Career Service portal will be able to access training in areas like Java Script, Data Visualisation, Advance Excel, Power Bi, HTML, Programming languages, software development fundamentals, Introduction to coding , etc, equipping them with the skills required in a digital economy,” the labour ministry said in a statement.

Anant Maheshwari, president, Microsoft India, said, “Our collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment reflects our commitment to bridge the digital equity gap and empower the youth of India to succeed in a digital economy. We have a unique opportunity to become an increasingly important tech engine of the world. Providing equal opportunity and access to digital skills for all will be the key to long-term economic and social value creation for India.”