In a joint effort to bridge the skill gap and create employment-ready youth from underserved communities, Nasscom Foundation, in partnership with IG Group, has successfully trained 2,000 marginalised young individuals through its Skilling and Employability Programme for Youth. The initiative, which prioritises inclusion, saw over 60% participation from women and has already enabled 480 candidates to secure employment.
Targeting students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions, the program aimed to equip them with both technical and workplace-ready skills essential for thriving in today’s digital economy. Training was conducted in-person at various partnering colleges and institutions across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi NCR.
The program included two distinct learning tracks: the Digital 101 course, which provided 1,200 students with a strong foundation in emerging technologies, and specialised Domain Courses for 800 students in BPM – Finance & Accounting, BPM – Banking, and Data Science & Analytics.
Commenting on the program’s impact, Jyoti Sharma, CEO of Nasscom Foundation, said, “India’s demographic dividend can only be realised when young people are equipped with future-ready skills. Our partnership with IG Group is a powerful example of what industry-led collaboration can achieve in closing the education-employment gap.”
Anand Kadur, COO – IG Group Technology and Head of IG India, echoed the sentiment, noting, “It’s been inspiring to see the transformation in these students. Through this initiative, we are not only enabling individuals but also uplifting entire families and communities.”
In addition to technical skills, the initiative placed strong emphasis on holistic development. Participants received soft skills training in communication, workplace ethics, and professional behaviour. Guest lectures, career guidance sessions, and industry visits helped bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world expectations.
To ensure quality delivery, 15 faculty members underwent a 30-hour Faculty Development Program focused on contemporary pedagogy and tools in Data Science and BPM.
This effort helped standardise instruction and enhance learning outcomes across participating institutions.
With employment opportunities already being extended to nearly 500 trained students, the program marks a promising step toward building a diverse, inclusive, and future-ready workforce.