In a significant move, HCLTech and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have joined forces to revolutionize digital learning and bridge the skills gap. The collaboration, announced by Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC, and C Vijayakumar, CEO & Managing Director of HCLTech, is set to reshape the assessment and digital learning landscape, not only in India but in international markets as well.
The recently launched Skill India Digital (SID) platform under the NSDC will play a pivotal role in transforming India into a thriving digital economy. This initiative aligns with the global consensus on Digital Public Infrastructures during India's G20 presidency. SID aims to prepare and skill nearly 260 million students in school and higher education while also providing entrepreneurial opportunities.
Empowering youth with digital technology
Reflecting India’s PM, Narendra Modi's vision to make India a global skill hub, this alliance will bridge the skills gap, particularly in the tech and engineering sectors, by promoting the adoption of technology among learners from diverse backgrounds, explore new global markets and business opportunities.
The recent G20's Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) meeting, which achieved consensus on Digital Skilling, Digital Economy and Digital Public Infrastructure, laid the groundwork for this strategic partnership. The agreement exchanged between NSDC and HCLTech involves joint efforts to introduce digital assessments in tech and non-tech-based courses on a B2B and B2C level.
Skill-based hiring and assessment market growth
According to the Future of Work, a collaborative whitepaper of HCLTech and Harvard Business Review, the surge of technology is reshaping the employment ecosystem. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in talent management has taken center stage and is reshaping traditional paradigms. It is ushering in a new era of skill-based talent acquisition and development that encompasses a diverse range of competencies which can be honed over time.
With the collaboration of NSDC and HCLTech, the focus extends to creating new products and programs to enhance talent flexibility and scale, ensuring access to quality training for every Indian. Tiwari expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing the “commitment to enhancing trust in job markets.”
“This is a significant step towards moving from qualification-based hiring to skill-based hiring. Both parties will collaborate to offer reskilling and upskilling online courses to prepare for opportunities in a dynamic job market,” he said.
The learning and assessments market is projected to surpass $10 billion by 2027, with North America leading the way. This association capitalizes on this growth, leveraging each other’s technical and domain expertise in various areas, including assessment platforms, smart labs for coding and data science, learning programs and advisory services for government and institutions.
EdTech business impact
Under its EdTech Business, HCLTech has a proven track record of assisting governments, enterprises and educational institutions in establishing technology and talent skill academies.
Initiatives like HCLTech’s TechBee, an exclusive job program for individuals after high school, have proven to provide a pathway to full-time jobs and financial independence. Its success has prompted expansion to countries including Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Canada and more.
The NSDC and HCLTech partnership marks a significant step towards accelerating the digital learning and skilling landscape. By combining their expertise and resources, they aim to create a talent ecosystem that not only meets the demands of the evolving job market but also contributes to India's position as a global leader in digital skills and technology.
