India's MSDE launches Skills Build AI platform in Collaboration with IBM

IBM and the Directorate General of Training under India's Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched a SkillBuild platform to advance the emerging technology education in India.

This new initiative would help to create a job-ready workforce in India.

The collaboration intends to provide a two-year advanced diploma in Networking, IT, and Cloud Computing. IBM has designed and created the curriculum. The course will be available at India's Industrial Training Institutes, popularly known as ITIs and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), notes the announcement.

The platform will be also used to train the NSTI and ITI faculty on AI skills.

Executive Opinion

Vice President and HR Head, IBM India Pvt. Ltd, Chaitanya Sreenivas, said, "Our collaboration with MSDE will help the next-gen to compete in the global economy.  Skills are the new currency and this program will address industries’ constant struggle for job-ready individuals. The platform will help students develop the technical and professional skills needed for competitive “new collar” jobs. SkillsBuild platform will reinforce IBM’s commitment in enabling life-long learning in India and aligning with Skills India initiative by Government of India.

Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, said, "Our Government is using technology effectively for benefiting the public and for bringing innovation in welfare schemes. We understand the importance of AI and the role it can play in improving lives. With the making of our New India, it is imperative that we consistently upgrade ourselves. I extend my gratitude to IBM for this collaboration in empowering students with new-age capabilities and professional skills. This initiative will help the youth to scale themselves as per the changing market trends."

IBM and AI & Emerging Technologies

According to the announcement, some of the non-government organizations like the Edunet and Unnati Foundation will provide personalized experiential and coaching learning opportunities for the students.

Under the deal, the platform will also train ITI and NSTI faculty on artificial intelligence (AI) skills for the future of work. Students will also be trained in problem-solving, resume writing, and communication.
Previously, IBM had joined the hands with the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship to launch a first of its kind new collar curriculum. Nineteen students were offered a five-month paid internship at IBM after the completion of courses in the month of September 2019.

Public sector companies are shifting their more focus on some of the new latest age technologies. ITI also recently revealed that it is setting up a 5G technology manufacturing hub.

Some of the recent market reports have estimated that India will see close to a million jobs in the cloud computing alone, DevOps automation, and software-defined networks are some of the major key areas that are seeing a lack of trained professionals.

IBM and Vodafone recently teamed up to form a new venture to help companies drive digital transformation. The new venture provides IBM's cloud offerings to Vodafone Business customers immediately.