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New Delhi : Microsoft India today announced a partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) to launch DigiSaksham – a collaborative digital skills training initiative to empower jobseekers in an increasingly tech driven economy. This joint initiative is an extension of the government’s ongoing engagement to upskill youth from rural and semi-urban areas.

Through this initiative, Microsoft, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment will provide 10 million active registered jobseekers on the National Career Service (NCS) platform, access to inclusive computing and computer science training, equipping them with the skills required to thrive in a digital economy. Conceptualized and designed by Microsoft India, DigiSaksham will be implemented in the field by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India (AKRSP-I). The program will impact more than 300,000 job seekers in the first year, training them in subjects like programming languages, data analytics, software development fundamentals and advanced digital productivity.

The initiative was launched in New Delhi today in the presence of Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Labour & Employment, Government of India, Rameshwar Teli, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Labour and Employment, Government of India, Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, and Apoorva Oza, Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme-India.

The forum highlighted the importance of skilling in bridging India’s digital divide, placing the country on the path to inclusive economic recovery and preparing India’s talent to thrive in a digital future.

Inaugurating the initiative, Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change; and Labour & Employment, Government of India, said, “Under the august leadership of honorable PM Modi, India is accelerating its digital revolution. Today, whether it is the expansion of digital services or digital enablement for opportunities for skilling in different trades, Government of India has led and developed many pathbreaking initiatives.

However, if India has to realize all its ambitions, it is important that our youth are proficient on computer and digital skills. To build their competencies and abilities, Government of India’s Ministry of Labour & Employment in partnership with Microsoft India has launched a new program which we have named DigiSaksham.

This program is being offered free of cost on Ministry’s National Career Services portal. You can enroll and join the program to enhance your digital skills and through DigiSaksham enhance your opportunity for jobs and employment in the digital world. I want to see our youth grow and get better opportunities for employment, and for that I encourage everyone to join this program in large numbers.”

Speaking about the partnership, Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, said, “Ensuring equitable access and opportunity to digital technology and skills will be vital for realizing the Digital India vision. 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.”

Shri Rameshwar Teli, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Labour and Employment, Government of India, said, “Ministry of Labour & Employment understands the critical need for training in this digital era. Understanding this, our Ministry provides trade and career guidance to socially underprivileged groups who are keen to get employed, through our network of 25 National Career Service Centres across India. In addition, the Ministry also facilitates diverse education and employability initiatives for these youth. DigiSaksham program is specially focused to provide digital productivity skills to socially and economically backward groups. I believe that trainees from SC/ST groups and Persons with Disabilities will definitely benefit from this program. I hope that all aspirants for employment registered on the National Career Services portal will use DigiSaksham to enhance their skills. I also appreciate the partnership with Microsoft India and our Ministry. I wish success to all the departments and organizations involved in the implementation of DigiSaksham. “

DigiSaksham will leverage the strengths of MoLE’s platform, National Career Service (NCS) to equip youth with skills and industry-recognized credentials that increase access to employment opportunities and promote skills-based hiring. Jobseekers registered on the NCS portal will be trained in specialized technology modules aligned with their existing educational qualifications. The technology modules will be taught at intermediate and advanced levels, equipping participants with digital skills.

Speaking of the association, Apoorva Oza, CEO AKRSP(I), said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition of India to a digital economy and digital society. Unfortunately, rapid transitions tend to leave out the disadvantaged and the poor. In this context, AKRSP(I) is partnering with Microsoft India and MoLE to reach out to the millions of youths – to ensure their poverty and geographical remoteness do not prevent them from being part of a steadfastly digital economy. AKRSP(I) commends MoLE for this pro-active initiative to create a society which leaves no one behind.”

DigiSaksham is an extension of Microsoft’s global commitment to help 25 million people acquire digital skills in a COVID-19 economy. This project aims to support the existing government ecosystem by upskilling job seekers through a four-step approach:

Facilitation: AKRSP(I) will curate sector skills requirements and develop customized learning paths to improve the employability of jobseekers.
Content Integration: Microsoft’s technical course curriculum will be integrated on the NCS portal via the Global Skills Initiative to enable access for 10M active registered jobseekers.

Jobseeker Training: The program will directly train 300K+ beneficiaries across India through a two-pronged approach, a blended model with online training on the Microsoft Community Training (MCT) platform, and in-person workshops at select Model Career Centers.
MCT is an Azure-based platform that supports personalized learning for a large-scale mobile-based community. MCT will be integrated on ncs.gov.in, where registered jobseekers will enroll in virtual instructor-led training on technical skills like Programming Languages, Data Analytics, Software Development Fundamentals, and Advance Digital Productivity, etc.

Pursuant to Government educational institute reopening guidelines, AKRSP-I, in consultation with NICS will identify Model Career Centre’s (MCC) to organize instructor-led boot camps on emerging technologies like Cloud, AI, and Data Analytics to reach 2400 beneficiaries across four MCC’s.
Employment Assistance:The program will support youth trained and certified under DigiSaksham with placements at four select Model Career Centers. A placement officer will be deputed to facilitate industry-specific placements and explore hyperlocal employment opportunities.

AKRSP(I) believes education is the backbone of society. One of the key reasons for inter-generational poverty is the fact that children of poor (and asset-less) parents receive poor or incomplete education, which disables them from reaching their true intellectual and educational potential, leaving them with less livelihood options. Our education programme is now more than five years old, and has a recognized relationship with the government education system.