India, home to one of the world’s largest – and youngest – workforce continues to face persistent challenges of finding their desired jobs. Despite the rise and growth of significant industries such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), and Information Technology (IT), among others, most of the country’s workforce struggles to achieve their desired jobs. The latest India Employment Report 2024, released by the International Labour Organization notes that one of the biggest constraints reported by jobseekers in finding jobs was the unavailability of jobs that match their education, skills, or experience (35%). At the same time, the report also highlights lack of adequate communication skills being one of the limitations that restrict people from finding jobs.[1]

Addressing the need to bridge the skill gap, NIIT Foundation, in collaboration with Angel One has initiated a joint program aimed at providing training enhancing employability skills tailored to the industries’ needs. Central to their mission is the recognition that children/youth hailing from underprivileged communities often face limited access to essential resources, thereby leading to unequitable access to opportunities.

Launched in 2022, the collaborative initiative provides free-of-cost online courses to students aged between 18 and 28 years old, focusing on BFSI and BPO segments. Using a multifaceted approach by combining self-learning and instructor-led training modules through a Learning Management System (LMS), the program is catered to enable beneficiaries – often belonging to underserved communities – for developing employable skills, including functional English, basic IT knowledge, and sectoral proficiencies, thereby enhancing their employability prospects.

Since its inception, the program has witnessed a significant participation from female beneficiaries, with 58% female enrolments as compared to their male counterparts. Simultaneously, 71% of the total candidates (3,474 beneficiaries) successfully received placement in organizations such as Quess Corp, C-Tech, Findrive Services, HDB Financial, and DBS Mintek Pvt Ltd – demonstrating the project's efficacy in equipping young individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to secure employment.

Highlighting the significance of such upskilling projects, Ms. Sapan Moudgil, CEO at NIIT Foundation noted, “NIIT Foundation’s meticulously designed curriculum aims to engage students through diverse courses that not only assist in developing soft skills like communication and analytical skills, but also guide individuals through comprehensive training programs to enhance their adaptability and confidence, thereby preparing them for lucrative job placements and emerge victoriously. The heart of this project revolves around connectivity and accessibility, ensuring that these youths receive quality skill development without compromising on effectiveness. By carefully selecting program locations, we aim to place a strong emphasis on community needs and the presence of potential employers in proximity. This strategic approach aims to bridge the gap between industry demands and the skill sets of the youth.”

 “It is a well-acknowledged fact that a significant portion of today's youth lacks the skills and confidence required by the modern job market. This issue is even more pronounced in underserved communities – where access to opportunities and resources remains challenging. Hence, the success of this collaboration with NIIT Foundation to empower such young individuals is extremely heartening, and we look forward to continuing our partnership towards generating more impact,” said Ms. Shefali Hasija, Head CSR, Angel One.

 The impact of this program reaches far and wide, across various states and territories such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi NCR, and Karnataka. With the enrolment phase commenced in April 2024, the program is geared towards enhancing the skills and employability prospects of 3,750 youth from underprivileged backgrounds.