New Delhi: Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister of Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, presided over the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between government ministries and agencies, in collaboration with IBM. During the event, he delivered a keynote address emphasizing the significant potential of India's large and youthful population. Pradhan stressed the importance of equipping the youth with the necessary skills to thrive in today's modern job market. This partnership represents a crucial step towards realizing the vision of a 'Skilled India' and enhancing digital skills training in emerging technologies through the IBM SkillsBuild platform. Pradhan believes that these partnerships will empower learners to fully harness the potential of technology, turning them into future creators of wealth and entrepreneurs in society.

Under the MoU, tailored courses will be provided to empower Indian youth with skills relevant for the future. The collaboration will focus on jointly developing educational curricula in areas such as AI (including generative AI), cybersecurity, cloud computing, and professional development skills for students across various levels of education, including school, higher education, and vocational training.

IBM's collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship spans three primary levels of education:

School Education: IBM will grant access to digital content from IBM SkillsBuild to high school students, teachers, and trainers in selected schools associated with Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS). This program will be available through online resources, webinars, and in-person workshops facilitated by IBM's CSR implementation partners. Additionally, IBM will update the AI curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 offered by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and create a curriculum for high school students in cyber skills and blockchain, to be hosted on IBM SkillsBuild.

Higher Education: IBM, in collaboration with its CSR implementation partners, will work closely with the Department of Higher Education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), the National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training & Research (NITTTR) in Chandigarh, and state skilling missions. Their aim is to onboard students and faculty affiliated with these institutions onto IBM SkillsBuild, providing them with access to digital content, experiential learning, and fresh skills, thereby preparing them for technical careers.

Vocational Skills: IBM will continue its core partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), collaborating with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) and state vocational education and skilling departments. The objective is to onboard job seekers, including the long-term unemployed and school dropouts, onto IBM SkillsBuild, equipping them with the technical and professional skills needed to re-enter the workforce.