SKILLING INDIA FOR TOMORROW
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), headquartered in New Delhi, India, has been at the forefront of India’s skill development revolution. The organisation, founded in 2008, imparts industry-relevant skills to millions to improve employability and economic growth. With a mission to support entrepreneurship and align skill development with the needs of the industry, NSDC has diversified its presence in rural as well as urban India. In the last two years, the organisation has enhanced its brand presence through meaningful campaigns, digital programmes, mass-level skill competitions, and sustainable funding models to create a long-term socio-economic impact.
India’s economic progress relies on the skills and capabilities of its workforce. Considering this, NSDC actively works to create accessible and industry-relevant skilling programmes. Through collaborations with educational institutions, industry bodies, and international partners, the organisation has successfully trained over 40 million individuals.
These training programmes focus on high-growth sectors, including IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and renewable energy. This prepares the workforce for future job markets.
NSDC has integrated vocational training into schools and colleges through its Skills for New Bharat programme, which offers AI, ML, and robotics courses for students from kindergarten to Class 12. This initiative bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enhancing industry-relevant competencies for various career paths.
Over the past two years, NSDC has launched national awareness campaigns like #SkillSeJeetengeDuniya and #KaushalBharatKushalBharat, significantly raising awareness about the importance of skill development in shaping careers.
To reach the youth, NSDC has expanded its presence on social media platforms, creating dynamic content such as success stories, skill challenges, and webinars. It has also embraced technology with initiatives like NSDC Digital and the Skill India Digital Hub, offering online courses and certifications to individuals, especially those in remote areas. This digital shift, along with a UPI-enabled finance ecosystem, has improved accessibility and fund transparency.
NSDC also hosts large-scale events like IndiaSkills and participates in WorldSkills, offering a platform for skilled youth to compete and showcase their talents. Through job fairs, skill expos, and events like Kaushal Mahotsav, NSDC has fostered direct engagement between job seekers and employers, strengthening industry connections and enhancing employment opportunities.
SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL INCLUSION
Sustainability is a key component of NSDC’s long-term vision. The organisation has implemented innovative financial models to make skill training more accessible and inclusive. Through CSR initiatives and industry partnerships, the organisation has secured substantial funding, benefitting over 192,000 people directly.
A critical aspect of this strategy is the adoption of blended financing solutions. Instruments such as the First Loss Default Guarantee (FLDG) and viability gap funding have ensured that financial constraints do not hinder individuals from accessing training opportunities. The organisation has also introduced impact financing models by aligning private investments with development goals to create long-lasting social and environmental benefits.
POLICY-DRIVEN SKILLING
NSDC’s sustainability efforts include policy-driven skilling frameworks and collaborating with government and industry leaders to align training with emerging sectors like electric mobility, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure. This ensures the workforce is equipped with future-ready skills that drive economic resilience.
The organisation has established state-of-the-art skill centres across India, offering placement-linked training in high-demand fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and green technologies.
Additionally, NSDC’s apprenticeship programmes have provided on-the-job learning for over 3.5 million individuals, conducting 5,60,000 assessments and facilitating grants of over INR 10.46 billion under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), aligning training with industry needs.
DRIVING INCLUSIVE GROWTH
NSDC’s impact goes beyond employment; it also promotes entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency. By collaborating with organisations such as Kudumbashree, the organisation empowers women and disadvantaged groups to get access to skill training, finances, and market connections. These programmes have enabled thousands of people to become entrepreneurs, thus building economic independence.
TRANSFORMING INDIA’S WORKFORCE
NSDC is committed to enhancing digital skilling and strengthening global partnerships, focusing on emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. The expansion of Skill India International Centres will create overseas employment opportunities, positioning Indian talent as a preferred workforce globally. Additionally, NSDC plans to strengthen its data-driven approach, leveraging analytics to track training outcomes and improve programme effectiveness. Through strategic collaborations and policy-driven initiatives, NSDC is poised to drive India’s workforce transformation, ensuring a future-ready, globally competitive workforce.
GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS
NSDC’s efforts have been recognised with several awards and accolades. ET Now’s Annual Awards Event, themed “Vision to Impact: The Best Brands of Tomorrow,” named it as one of the top brands in December 2024.
