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December 2, 2024 | 
Salil Chaturvedi
India is at the cusp of a transformative journey toward becoming a sustainable and economically robust nation. One of the most pivotal elements in this journey is skill development, particularly in the IT sector. Skill development not only empowers individuals but also fuels the economy by creating a skilled workforce ready to meet industry demands.
Sustainability in skill development in India can be interpreted in multiple ways. It must enable sustainable livelihoods for the youth, deliver quality, have scalability built-in, and address the economic and social nuances essential to ensuring sustainability. Financial stability is a primary aspect of attaining sustainability in skill development, which is currently highly dependent on CSR funds.
The core of skill development lies in enhancing employability. IT skilling programs, often funded by donors, are implemented through various partner models. These programs measure success through key parameters like placement rates and employability enhancements. The duration of these skilling courses ranges from 15 to over 200 hours, with IT skilling programs typically exceeding 200 hours due to their complexity and depth.
Nasscom Foundation offers a range of courses designed to meet industry needs and enhance employability. These courses are categorized into foundation courses (up to 70 hrs), domain courses (80-120 hours) and advanced courses (120-180 hours).
Foundation skilling targets first and second-year students, building a strong foundation in high-demand skills. Domain and Advanced skilling programs are more intensive and offer wide range of job opportunity as per IT industry job market after successful completion of course. To make student job ready, nasscom foundation also equip them with soft skill component of 60-80 hrs where employability skills such as personality development, interview skills, communication, and resume writing is done to increase employability of candidates. These courses also include mentorship by industry experts to give industry exposure and real project experience.
The primary beneficiaries of these programs are individuals from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), with a significant focus on women, who make up 60% of the target group. These initiatives aim to provide equitable opportunities for skill development and employment. While there is a need for new financial models to demonstrate that a course or program is of value to various stakeholders, the ultimate goal is for these courses to become self-sustainable without external financial support.
Nasscom Foundation implement these courses through two models- ‘On Campus’ through college connect program and ‘Centre’ based for unemployed graduates. Colleges are chosen basis EWS candidate availability, college’s interest, placement support required by colleges and NAAC rating of the college.
Adhering to the academic session guidelines, these programs are often integrated within college curricula, especially targeting final-year students and unemployed graduates. Training facilities are spread across various geographies, ensuring broad accessibility. Training components include role plays, guest lectures, industry visits, and personality development sessions to prepare candidates for real-world challenges. Comprehensive training in emerging technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) are also covered under the program. Courses on Data analytics, Java, Python, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security and other ITES courses, BFSI and BPM are also high demand job linked courses. Regular assessments and certification from in-house Future Skills Prime(FSP) are key features of these programs.
Many of these skill development initiatives are funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. These projects focus on making candidates employable by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with various corporates to create job opportunities and ensure placements. Entry into these programs is often based on stringent selection criteria, primarily targeting the EWS category with some basic tech knowledge or background in computers.
One of the significant challenges in skill development programs is selecting the right beneficiaries and ensuring their continuity. Nasscom Foundation adopts a multi-layer approach to identify suitable candidates, control dropout rates, and maintain program continuity. This includes pre-placement activities like career guidance talks, industry engagement sessions, guest lectures, and interview preparation programs, along with online volunteer sessions for knowledge enhancement.
Nasscom Foundation has trained nearly 50,000 beneficiaries during the last year. 21,000 students undergone training in job linked courses out of which approx. 14,000 were successfully offered employment. This year, the foundation aims to increase this to 70%, with an overarching goal of reaching 100% placements opportunity provided in select programs. The organisation differentiates itself by providing continuous support to help candidates fit into their roles and organising interviews to facilitate placements.
Skill development, particularly in the IT sector, is a cornerstone for a sustainable and prosperous India. By focusing on employability, comprehensive training, and targeted beneficiary support, initiatives like those by nasscom foundation are paving the way for a more skilled and employable workforce. As India progresses on its journey, these skill development programs will play a crucial role in shaping the country’s economic and social landscape. To truly harness the potential of these initiatives, it is essential for stakeholders, including educational institutions, corporates, and the government, to collaborate actively. By investing in skill development today, we are building a stronger, more resilient India for tomorrow.
