IIT Madras, Gradskey partner to offer industry skill certification programme

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation is partnering with GRADSKEY to train college students on ‘industry-ready deployable skills.Through the collaboration, industry persons will directly train students on various techniques as peer-to-peer learning makes it easier for students.

The programme could fulfil a pressing need as many colleges in Tier-2 and 3 cities who do not have access to industry experts to teach them industry required technical skills.Students of 1st semester to 3rd semester from BE, BTech, BSc, MSc, BBA, MBA, BCA, and MCA degree courses are eligible for the training.

IIM Madras official release reads: "These Industry skilling programmes are designed for a long-term trajectory of three years, which will be the duration of a students’ degree program. However, the courses are broken down into a shorter, yearly certification program to gradually skill students according to their pace of learning."

"Every year, starting from first year, students gradually get industry required skills. Students start earning industry skills with a Foundation certificate and at the end of three year, eligible students would be presented with a certificate", the release further added.

Highlighting the need for such programmes, Professor Mangala Sunder, Emeritus Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras, and Founder-Coordinator,Digital Skills Academy-IIT Madras, said,“Training opportunities provided to students could result in multiple outcomes; not only would one get to solve and get experience in industry-relevant problems but also would be able to think of designing new programs and explore new start-up opportunities which will result in jobs to many others.”

The courses would be offered in-person mode in educational institutions where more than 100 students sign up. In other institutions, it would be offered in a hybrid mode, with around 60-75 per cent in online, and the remaining classes being in physical mode. The course fees will be between Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 per student per semester.

Speaking about the unique aspects of the skill certification programme, R Achutharaman, Founder, CEO of Gradskey, said,“Our skilling process and methodology is unique and key for the success of students acquiring the much-needed industry skills and problem-solving skills for their dream career goals.”

Further, Dr M J Shankar Raman, CEO, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, said,“As per NASSCOM report, 70% of the total job openings in 2024 will be for entry level professionals. Colleges require industry partnership to fulfill this surge in skill demand. Our partnership with GRADSKEY aims to bridge this skill gap by engaging the students during early semesters, rather than doing few skilling workshops in the final semester.”