NSDC and TCS iON partner to bridge employability gap in India

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has partnered with TCS iON to launch the National Proficiency Tests (NPTs), aimed at enhancing employability by providing industry-recognized certifications to students, job seekers, and professionals across India.

The NPTs will serve as a nationwide assessment platform for job seekers aiming to validate their skills and for professionals to get their skills recognized in specific areas of expertise through NSDC’s Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).

Key highlights of the partnership

• NPTs will assess competencies in sectors like IT, BFSI, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and domains such as HR, Finance, Sales and Marketing.
• Two-part test structure: A Test of Knowledge and a Test of Application will evaluate skills and knowledge.
• Monthly assessments: The NPTs, powered by TCS iON will be conducted once a month and are accessible nationwide with no limit on attempts.
• Certification: Industry-recognized proficiency scores will enhance career opportunities and improve chances of securing higher salary packages.

Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “The NSDC-TCS iON agreement inked is not just an understanding but the beginning of a movement for enhanced employability for every Indian to get their skills assessed and certified, thereby making them more employable in today’s world as per industry standards requirements and expectations.”

He added, “This partnership is a significant step toward bridging the employability gap in our country. By aligning skill assessments with industry requirements, we can ensure that our youth are not only job-ready but also equipped to excel in their chosen fields. Empowering youth with relevant skills and certifications is essential for fostering a robust economy.”

Speaking on the partnership, Shri Venguswamy Ramaswamy, Global Head, TCS iON, said, “We are excited to announce this collaboration, which is aimed at establishing a robust framework for skill assessments in the country. The NPTs will address the ever-evolving need for talent across sectors. The NPT Score will be an industry benchmark, enhancing the job prospects in an increasingly competitive landscape.”

He further added “Our primary goal is to help India’s youth seamlessly transition from education to employment. This partnership is designed to support students with career guidance, learning programs, skill assessments, and then ultimately access to lakhs of jobs and internships in various local, national and global corporates.”

Also read: The future of work: Soft Skills are now a non-negotiable

Key benefits for the participants

• Proficiency score: NPTs assess the participants and they receive a proficiency score based on their knowledge and skills.
• Job access: Participants can also assess exclusive job listings on the TCS iON platform which will be available for those with an NPT score.

For employers, this partnership provides

• Access to a vast, nationwide pool of pre-certified candidates
• Enabling faster onboarding and simplifying the hiring process to save both time and effort

The availability of these qualified candidates allows for a streamlined recruitment experience, while the holistic evaluation system of NPTs ensures that employers can identify skilled candidates who align well with their organizational needs. This comprehensive evaluation system ensures that employers can identify skilled candidates who are well-suited to their organizational requirements. The NSDC and TCS iON partnership is poised to digitally transform the skilling ecosystem, with plans to introduce new NPTs every quarter, further advancing India’s workforce readiness.