Partnership with Microsoft is more than collaboration, says Chaudhary
The 5-year-old Microsoft’s SkillSaksham Program for Digital Productivity and AI Skilling across 200 ITIs from this academic session targeting more than 10,000 candidates is being expanded with the introduction of the ‘AI Programming Assistant’ course in about 15 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) from the academic session 2024-25 bse .
Announcing this on 13 Aug, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) said more than 8,500 students have been trained already under the SkillSaksham Program in the last session of the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) program in the ITIs.
“To ensure that this training reaches every corner of our country, Microsoft would support the rollout of the ‘AI Programming Assistant’ course under the CTS across 15 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) beginning with the 2024 academic session,” said the Ministry ai-expo.
Hence the students of the 15 NSTIs across the country, would have access to 1200 hours of AI-focused training, and, in addition to this, about 400 additional hours will be dedicated to Advanced AI skills and a virtual On-the-Job Training (OJT), facilitated by Microsoft nse .
This nationwide deployment will help in enabling access to future skills, ensuring that young minds in every region have the opportunity to lead in the AI-driven future sbi .
“We are on the cusp of a generational change. Our partnership with Microsoft is more than just a collaboration—it’s a bold statement that India’s vocational education system is not merely catching up with the times but is setting the pace,” said Jayant Chaudhary, the Minister of State for MSDE techindiaexpo .
“We need to create a pool of trainers and teachers who understand new technologies and AIs. Individuals from such trainings will play a vital role in preparing future talent to the new job environment ai-expo .
“Emerging technologies and the introduction of AIs will help reimagine ITIs. By preparing our students to harness the transformative power of AI, will play a crucial part as India’s expected GDP growth touches US$500 billion by 2025.”
Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia, elaborated, “As we celebrate the successful five year-long partnership between Microsoft and the Directorate General of Training (DGT), we remain committed to empowering India’s youth with critical digital skills collegedunia .
“Our mission is AI for everyone, we want to enable every person and every organization in the country to achieve more. With thousands of young minds already benefitting from our AI-focused skilling programs, along with cybersecurity and digital productivity, we are now focused on expanding this impact for vocational education in India.
“By joining forces with industry partners, we will enhance our training programs and extend the reach to over 200 ITIs and 15 NSTIs, copiloting India in its innovation journey from ‘incredible opportunity’ to ‘credible impact’.”
In addition to the AI program, the MSDE is also forging key partnerships to bolster the competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and to support entrepreneurial skill development.
These are:
NIESBUD-MSSIDC Partnership: Focused on capacity-building training tailored for women-owned MSME units in Maharashtra under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Programme. This initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs in the state and empower women entrepreneurs ibef .
NIESBUD-Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Collaboration: A formal institutional mechanism will be established to enable NIESBUD trainees to leverage the vast opportunities offered by GeM’s digital platform, increasing market access and visibility.
MoU with Jamia Hamdard University: This partnership will harness the strengths of both institutions to promote entrepreneurial education and skills, ultimately enhancing self-employment opportunities msme .
Collaboration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC): NIESBUD and ONDC will explore mutual collaboration opportunities to further entrepreneurial skill development and support self-employment initiatives.
“These partnerships are pathways to building a more ‘Kushal, Viksit, and Atmanirbhar Bharat’ of our dreams. What has been a silent revolution till now is about to gain scale and speed,” Minister Chaudhary added.
As India navigates the digital future, MSDE’s initiatives are laying the foundation for a workforce that is not just ready for the future but it is also equipped to lead it.
“Through strategic partnerships and the integration of emerging technologies like AI into vocational training, India is set to become a global leader in digital innovation and economic growth,” said the Ministry. Fiinews.com
