Year-End Review: NSDC's Goal to Skill 100,000 Youth in AI, Drones, and Cloud Computing by 2025
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New Delhi, Dec 31 (NationPress) The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), initiated by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), has positioned itself as a key hub for educational programs in AI, drone technology, data science, and cloud computing. The aim is to increase the number of students to 100,000 by the conclusion of 2025, according to an official release issued on Tuesday.
Currently, the portal features over 500 courses in these cutting-edge domains, with newly introduced specialized classes on AI-driven solutions for agriculture and cybersecurity being particularly noteworthy.
Collaborations with technology leaders such as Meta for AI-driven learning and Microsoft for practical training have enriched the overall experience.
The initiatives by NSDC have led to interesting economic impacts, including a 3.5% growth in the IT and manufacturing sectors. NSDC aspires to contribute to India's vision of becoming a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030, with expectations to create more than 5 million jobs in the emerging fields of AI and robotics over the next five years.
Emphasizing higher-level courses related to Industry 4.0 technologies like automation and machine learning ensures that graduates develop the skills necessary for today's job market. Partnerships with international universities facilitate dual certification in advanced digital skills, boosting global employability.
In alignment with National Goals for Gender Equality and Empowerment, NSDC has initiated several programs to foster women-led entrepreneurship. By collaborating with major companies such as Britannia Industries and HDFC Bank, NSDC aims to empower 10,000 female entrepreneurs by 2025 through self-paced courses offered in regional languages.
This program provides grants of ₹10 lakh to the top-performing entrepreneurs, access to workshops, and a ₹150 crore venture capital fund. These efforts are projected to establish around 30 million women-led businesses by 2040, significantly contributing to India's GDP.
SIDH is committed to inclusivity, having enrolled over 5,000 senior citizens across 505 districts nationwide.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), NSDC is concentrating on specialized training in STEM, AI, and robotics to cultivate a skilled workforce that meets the demands of Industry 4.0. PMKVY 4.0 (2022-2026) aims to skill over 5 million youths with industry-relevant training.
It provides 429 job roles across various sectors, including AI, robotics, and drones. Collaborating with IITs, IIMs, and industries, it includes initiatives like ‘Drone Didi’.
With a budget of ₹12,000 crore, this program is equipping India's workforce for future opportunities. Through the 30-Hour Upskilling Program, NSDC has successfully dispatched 10,000 construction workers to Israel, ensuring their training meets international standards.
Conversely, the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman aims to empower traditional artisans and craftsmen, covering 18 trades such as blacksmithing, carpentry, and pottery. With a budget of ₹13,000 crore, it offers financial aid, including ₹15,000 for toolkits and collateral-free loans up to ₹3 lakh at subsidized interest rates. The program also provides advanced skill training and market access to safeguard and promote India's rich cultural heritage.
NSDC International has played a pivotal role in enhancing India's global workforce through various initiatives. In Israel, NSDC has aided in the recruitment of 10,000 construction workers, with 6,661 already deployed, as part of a special project under PMKVY 4.0 focusing on Recognition of Prior Learning and a 30-hour Upskilling Program.
Its Skill Verification Programme (SVP) in Saudi Arabia has evaluated over 25,000 candidates, with nearly 24,000 certified, thereby contributing to the quality of Indian blue-collar workers abroad.
