Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan presided over the signing of eight MoUs between agencies of Ministries of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and IBM and delivered keynote address at the occasion.

Pradhan, highlighted India’s potential due to its youthful population and the importance of equipping youth with skills for the modern workforce. The collaboration with IBM aims to achieve a ‘Skilled India’ vision and enhance digital skills and training in emerging technologies through the IBM SkillsBuild platform, enabling learners to become future creators and entrepreneurs.

The Memorandum of Understanding will offer tailored courses to empower Indian youth with future-ready skills, focusing on curriculum co-creation in school education, higher education, and vocational skills. IBM’s collaboration spans three education levels:

1. School Education: IBM will provide digital content from IBM SkillsBuild for high school students, teachers, and trainers in schools identified by organizations like Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, National Council for Teacher Education, and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. This program will be available online, through webinars, and in-person workshops conducted by IBM’s CSR partners. IBM will also update AI and introduce cyber and blockchain curricula for Grades 11 and 12 in CBSE.
2. Higher Education: IBM, along with its CSR partners, will collaborate with the Department of Higher Education, AICTE, NIELIT, NITTTR Chandigarh, and state skilling missions to onboard students and faculty to IBM SkillsBuild. This will provide access to digital content and experiential learning, preparing them for technical careers.
3. Vocational Skills: IBM will maintain its partnership with MSDE and work with DGT and state vocational education and skilling departments to onboard job seekers, including long-term unemployed and school dropouts, to IBM SkillsBuild. This initiative aims to equip them with the necessary technical and professional skills to re-enter the workforce.

Also read: G20 Declaration revitalizes global commitment to equitable education: Pradhan