NSDC collaborates with WhatsApp to launch Digital Skills Champions Program

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has collaborated with WhatsApp to launch the Digital Skill Champions Program which aims to train India’s youth on digital skills to make them employment ready. Under the program, school and university students will be trained in digital and online skills. After the completion of the program, the students will get the Digital Skill Champions’ certification from NSDC.

The course is based on a module format, is comprehensive and intensive in imparting knowledge about important aspects of the online ecosystem, equipping students with technology-based learning on campuses across tier 3 and 4 towns and cities throughout the country.

The program will be delivered through WhatsApp Digital Skills Academy and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) and WhatsApp Business App Training sessions.

WhatsApp Digital Skills Academy: As part of the Digital Skill Academies, young adults from tier 3 and 4 cities will be trained on critical aspects of digital safety and online privacy. These digital academies will deliver safe technology-based learning among the youth and train them on taking charge of their safety online as they embark on their professional journeys. The program will be launched across 50 campuses in five states namely Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The program will be imparted through WhatsApp’s project implementation partner- InfiSpark.

PMKK and WhatsApp Business App Training: WhatsApp will conduct training sessions to familiarise   Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra trainers with the WhatsApp Business app. The training will cover modules on leveraging the benefits of the WhatsApp Business app and making small business entrepreneurship aspirational for young skill seekers. The trained PMKK community cadres will further manage and administer the WhatsApp Business app training to youth aspiring to become small business entrepreneurs.  

Announcing the program, Dr. Manish Kumar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) said, “In a rapidly evolving digital world, NSDC aims to extend the scope of virtual learning for youth across India.  It aims to empower youth with new-age skills to make them employable and more productive in their work environment.”

Talking about the partnership, Mr. Shivanth Thukral, Director – Public Policy, WhatsApp India said, “We are honoured to be a part of NSDC’s mission to skill India and to take shop floor readiness training to the last mile. As India embraces digital innovation and entrepreneurship, it is imperative that the youth today are made aware of and educated about how they can upskill themselves and take charge of their presence online. At WhatsApp, we believe that online safety and privacy are vital drivers to a progressive digital society. Through this partnership, we are committed to enhance the digital skills of the aspiring entrepreneurs and empower the youth of our country to create a safe digital environment for all.”

Also read: Six customized crash course programmes launched for Covid-19 frontline workers https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/six-customized-crash-course-programmes-launched-for-covid-19-frontline-workers/

The partnership aims to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India the Skill Capital of the World by providing digital skills training to the students. It also aims to fuel skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth through the Digital Skills Champions Program.