Shell, Microsoft to digitally skill non-IT students in vocational education institutes

NEW DELHI: Energy giant Shell and tech major Microsoft have entered into a collaboration to impart digital skills to students in vocational education institutes, a release said on Wednesday.

The project aims to enable 5,000 underserved youth across 24 government institutes with digital productivity and employability skills and prepare them for digital careers in manufacturing and energy sectors. "Shell and Microsoft collaborate on digital skilling for non-IT students in vocational education institutes," the release said, adding that the partnership is in line with their joint commitment to empower the workforce of tomorrow with future-ready skills.

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Emerging technologies are changing the nature of jobs and redefining the scope of productivity in every sector. Job roles across sectors that typically did not require digital skills earlier, demand foundational digital skills to adapt with new requirements. The addition of digital curriculum to the training offered in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics will enable the students in non-IT trades to enhance skills for jobs, the release added.

With a goal to enable livelihood opportunities for students in ITI and polytechnic trades such as electrician, electrical engineering, fashion designing, among others, the first phase of the program will focus on creating awareness about digital employment opportunities across Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Further, the initiative will support the enhancement of digital learning labs at these institutes and build the capacity of faculty members to sustain the outcomes of the program.