SAP India and Microsoft have launched a digital skills programme to train 62,000 women from underrepresented communities in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, web design, and digital marketing.
TechSaksham - Saksham translates to “able” or “capable” in Hindi - will initially train 2,000 women through 200 hours of training, spread across two semesters.
In its first year, the initiative hopes to train 1,500 teachers, and each faculty trained will be equipped to support over 50 students in one year, and establish five "nodal centres", according to the companies. With each teacher "having the potential" to influence over 50 students, the companies hope that around 60,000 students will be "indirectly impacted" in the first year.
It will also offer technology boot camps and opportunities to consult with industry experts for knowledge sharing and career guidance. It also hopes to provide 50% of qualifying students with internships, jobs, and micro-entrepreneurship opportunities.
The programme will partner with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Training and Learning Academy-ATAL and state collegiate education departments to support the professional development of faculty at participating institutes.
Professor Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, chairman of the AICTE, said that TechSaksham “will transform the landscape of workplaces” and create “a massive impact”.
“Moreover, with more than 1,000 women faculty certified, it will bring big ticket changes not only in employability of graduates but will encourage many more students to start their startup journey,” he added. “AICTE has been constantly engaged in creating awareness and empowerment of all stakeholders to make India a global technology hub. TechSaksham is the right platform to do this.”
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Anant Maheshwari, president of Microsoft India, said that the programme reflects the company’s commitment to closing the digital skills gap by enabling Indian women to “pursue the path to success” in a digital-first economy.
“As we rapidly move towards a digital economy, the skills of the future will look very different from the skills that are needed today,” he said. “Digital fluency will not just be a competitive advantage but a necessity to qualify for jobs. This requires a massive effort to skill India’s talent and workforce.”
