PM Modi unveils 'Futureskills' platform to upskill Indians in eight categories, starting with AI
As exponential technologies and digitalisation become indispensable for professions across the IT spectrum, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) on Monday launched a platform for skills development in eight varied technologies, starting with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The platform Futureskills was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who applauded the initiative and its focus on creating skills for future jobs in the country.
NASSCOM conducted a comprehensive study with the Boston Consulting Group to identify eight technologies, poised to grow tremendously, both nationally and globally, in the coming decade, along with associated 55 job roles and corresponding skills required for those technologies.
Apart from AI, the other seven technologies in focus are Virtual Reality, Robotic Process Automation, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics, 3D Printing, Cloud Computing, Social and Mobile.
The platform is aimed at upskilling two million technology professions and skilling another two million potential employees and students over the next few years.
NASSCOM also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, to collaboratively foster, cultivate and strengthen reskilling initiatives.
As a part of the MoU, NASSCOM and MeitY will work together to enable skill development and continuous learning not only for individuals in the IT-ITeS industry and its aspirants, but also for employees belonging to other sectors.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Law and Justice and Electronics and IT, Government of India; R Chandrashekhar, President, NASSCOM; BVR Mohan Reddy, Industry Leader and Chairman of the IT-ITES Sector Skills Council and others. Commenting on the MoU, Ravi Shankar Prasad said,
Digital empowerment can only happen if there is digital inclusion. With the advent of new technologies like AI, Blockchain and loT, reskilling of young professionals is critical. I'm pleased that NASSCOM has come up with this unique platform for skilling and reskilling young people where my department and team will provide lot of support and assistance.
He also noted that such initiatives are all about teamwork and are possible when government, private sector leaders and organisations come together and contribute towards digital inclusion.
The platform for reskilling and upskilling of workforce in new and emerging information and communication technologies (ICT) will provide a complement to Digital India initiative of the government. Prasad added that while Digital India is working on steps to increase domestic electronic production and BPO promotion schemes for employment, this platform will make talent available for India and the Indian industry to embrace opportunities from emerging technologies.
While the MoU evangelises reskilling by supporting the industry and other stakeholders, Futureskills aims to charter the roadmap for sustained growth in various fields starting with three distinct job roles for AI.
Expressing his views on the unveiling of the platform, R Chandrashekhar, President, NASSCOM, said, "Across the whole spectrum of the industry, skill profiles are undergoing rapid changes witnessing a rising demand for enhanced digital capabilities. With this growing need we are confident that the Futureskills platform will not only help re-engineer education and but also create employment prospects."
The Futureskills platform will enable discovery, continuous learning and a marketplace of training providers/virtual labs and certifications for each of these job roles and skills, with customised pathways for learning.
The Futureskills platform is being positioned as a one-stop-shop for all your learning needs for future technologies. The website notes that users can start by discovering the high-demand career paths, identifying skill gaps, learning the required skills, assessing their progress, and certifying themselves so that they can apply for a future job.
The platform will let users make their individual profile, customise their journey, save progress, and it will give further recommendations on how they can move towards the future.
Website- Futureskills