Get Set Learn (GSL), dedicated to enhancing future skills, has teamed up with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to introduce the Skills for New Bharat initiative, aiming to inspire 1 million K-12 students over five years. This partnership seeks to instill an entrepreneurial mindset among students, equipping them for success amid the exigencies of AI, automation, and digital evolution.
The initiative revolves around three focal areas: creating a Future Skills Report to pinpoint must-have competencies, establishing Future Skills Tinkering Labs across Indian schools, and integrating GSL's SOLVEIT platform with NSDC Digital. This strategy promises students hands-on experience through real-life industry challenges, fostering practical skills and recognition for their problem-solving endeavors.
The Future Skills Tinkering Labs will form part of an interlinked hub-and-spoke model across schools nationally. These labs will allow students to engage practically with innovative projects, enhancing their skill sets, mindsets, and toolsets needed for the future workforce. A significant component of this collaboration is the launch of the SolveIT X NSDC Digital industry Challenges platform, where learners will address global challenges, potentially earning accolades and rewards.
By emphasizing core 21st-century skills—like creativity, digital literacy, AI proficiency, and analytical thinking—the initiative ensures readiness for upcoming workforce challenges and opportunities. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International, commented, "By embedding future skills within the K-12 ecosystem, we establish the groundwork for a skilled and employable India. This step addresses the rising demand for skills pertinent to advancing technologies such as AI, ML, and Robotics, closely aligning with the Prime Minister's vision for making India 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047."
The rollout of Future Skills Tinkering Labs is expected to cultivate fully integrated tinkering lab ecosystems, providing specialized courses on entrepreneurship, design thinking, artificial intelligence, robotics, leadership, and soft skills like resilience and collaboration.
These will be delivered through experiential learning formats, including programs, boot camps, and industry collaborations to ease students’ transition from academics to professional settings. Frequent hackathons will engage students with current real-world issues, fostering continuous learning experiences. Ameet Zaverii, CEO & Co-founder of GSL, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "This initiative is monumental, equipping students with necessary skills for India's future and helping them develop competencies to thrive on the global stage. We invite progressive schools to join us on this endeavor to shape the future of education together."
Simultaneously, Langat Singh College is facilitating student engagement through the NSDC skill conclave from February 24th to 28th, aimed at creating pathways for young people entering the employment market. College Principal Prof. Om Prakash Roy advocated for student participation, highlighting the institution's commitment to skill development and career readiness.
Prof. Roy emphasized the conclave's potential, describing it as another notable advancement for the college following its past successes. This event will furnish students with extensive information on skill development opportunities across various sectors, alongside employment guidance and insights on company selection procedures. He particularly encouraged final-year students to engage fully, confident the conclave would substantially benefit their career navigation.
He praised the NSDC for its unwavering efforts to promote skill development and employment initiatives for youth, asserting this conclave reflects their continual endeavor. To participate effectively, students are urged to register on the NSDC portal, with registration available throughout the conclave period. The college’s leadership, including faculty members like Prof. Rajiv Kumar Jha and Dr. Tathagata Banerjee, actively supports this initiative.
Both initiatives mark pivotal milestones within the scope of skill development, indicating the growing recognition of educational institutions and organizations addressing the demand for skilled labor. The collaboration with GSL and the NSDC’s commitment to this conclave not only facilitate immediate skill-building but also aim to lay the groundwork for future opportunities across significant sectors.
This concerted effort encapsulates the synergy between educational institutions and industry needs, reflecting Nigeria's approach to enhancing its workforce with global expertise and transformative skills through large-scale partnerships.