The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITy) and IBM India collaborates to create a robust education and skilling ecosystem that creates critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and next generation innovators through the Common Services Centre Academy. The Academy is a part of Common Service Centre (CSC) scheme of the GoI’s flagship Digital India program. The Academy and IBM, along with their implementation partners CSR Box, Uva Jagriti Sansthan and Jeevitam will foster the capability and development of learners with diverse backgrounds and educational needs. Leveraging technology, teaching and delivering of specialized courses/training programs in areas of cloud and AI, they will train learners which includes village level entrepreneurs, functionaries and stakeholders of the CSC Program.

As a part of this collaboration, IBM will curate and provide content from SkillsBuild and STEM for Girls to be used for the training services and in community development programs. The CSC Academy supports more than 3.7 lakh common service centres including 60,000 Women only centres and is planning to set up 6,000 CSC Academy centres (one in every block) out of which 5000 are already set up across the country. With a view to make the learning experiential, IBM will also focus on getting the learners involved in trainings, workshops, train-the-trainer programs and co-create training materials and conduct orientation camps. This program will also provide access to employment to 4000 village level youth in the identified rural areas.

Dr.Dinesh Tyagi, Managing Director, CSC e-Governance Services India Limited said, “The National Education Policy’s focus on experiential learning and skills like critical thinking, problem solving etc are aimed at bridging the skills gap of India’s workforce. This will in turn play a pivotal role in building a skilled workforce for local industries thereby powering the success of GoI’s flagship programs like Make in India, Skill India, Digital India, Startup India and others. This collaboration with IBM aligns with the National Education Policy’s emphasis on learning 21st century skills to ensure the future-readiness of India’s youth and realizing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

COVID-19 has forced businesses go digital and adopt technologies like AI, ML, deep learning, image processing and others. And with India entering the post-COVID-19 era, the requirement will further get a push. Speaking on this, Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India/South Asia said, “Exponential technologies like AI and Hybrid Cloud can drive path-breaking innovations and fuel the nation's digital India vision. To make this a reality there is a need to create the right avenues and platforms for learners to be equipped with industry-ready skills. Our collaboration with MeitY and CSC Academy will open up access to deep technological resources and expertise to learners with diverse backgrounds and educational needs and focus on skill upgradation through experiential learning - initiatives aimed at enhancing employability.”