Shell, Microsoft to digitally skill non-IT students in institutes

Shell and Microsoft announced a collaboration to teach digital skills to students in vocational education institutes, as part of their joint commitment to equip the workforce of tomorrow with future-ready skills. The project’s goal is to provide 5,000 underserved youth from 24 government institutes with digital productivity and employability skills, as well as to prepare them for digital careers in the manufacturing and energy sectors.

Emerging technologies are altering the nature of jobs and redefining the scope of productive output in every sector. Job roles that previously did not involve digital skills now require foundational digital skills to adapt to new requirements. The addition of digital curriculum to the training provided by Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics will allow students in non-IT trades to improve their job readiness.

The first phase of the programme will concentrate on raising awareness about digital employment opportunities across Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, with the goal of enabling livelihood opportunities for students in ITI and polytechnic trades such as electrician, electrical engineering, fashion designing, and more. Furthermore, the initiative will help these institutes improve their digital learning labs and build faculty members’ capacity to sustain the program’s outcomes.

Shell

“Shell India is committed to supporting reskilling and upskilling programmes to bring employment opportunities within evolving energy and manufacturing markets closer to the community,” said Latika Taneja, Head of Corporate Relations at Shell India. Shell and Microsoft‘s collaboration will help to create a future-ready workforce and open new avenues of learning and job opportunities for students in ITI and polytechnic colleges.”

“In today’s digital-driven economy, it is critical to equip the youth in vocational education, particularly in non-IT trades, with digital skills to meet the demands of the rapidly transforming sectors,” said Gunjan Patel, Director, Microsoft Philanthropies India. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Shell on this critical initiative to empower job skills, and we look forward to making a positive impact on India’s youth.”