NSDC partners with upGrad to use its Live platform to expand reach of online skilling programs in India

Mumbai/ New Delhi, June 22, 2020: COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruption and long-lasting implications on society and its people. To ensure continuity in skill training and helping people scale their abilities, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a public-private-partnership that is catalysing the skill development ecosystem in India, has partnered with upGrad, one of India’s largest online higher education companies to utilise its technology platform.

Through this partnership, NSDC’s eLearning platform – eSkill India will be using the key features of upGrad’s Live platform. The Live platform replicates a real-time classroom learning experience by providing much greater interactivity and helps with real-time doubt resolution, enabling skill seekers to have a complete command over the active session. Therefore, a strategic collaboration of knowledge and technology would minimise the learning breakdown, for one and all. Aligned with the ‘Skill India Mission’ to strengthen the skilling ecosystem in India, the alliance is a key step towards NSDC’s sustained efforts to continue the momentum on skill empowerment through online learning during the current pandemic.

NSDC’s eSkill India portal encourages learners to explore online skill-courses anytime, anywhere. The portal leverages technology to enable skill seekers accelerate their learning through methods like virtual learning and remote classrooms. Leveraging strategic knowledge partnerships, eSkill India expands the portfolio of offerings to benefit the training providers and the skill seekers. eSkill India has curated more than 450 eLearning courses in multiple Indian languages through its partnerships with globally acclaimed knowledge providers.

“We are delighted to have partnered with NSDC to support its initiative that encourages Indians to continue skilling, even while at home. This is the time when lifelong learning has become critical and with our strategic collaboration, we aim to accelerate digital learning in the country.” Says Mayank Kumar, Co-founder & MD, upGrad.

Dr. Manish Kumar, MD & CEO, NSDC said, “These critical times have accelerated digital learning, expanding the reach of skilling opportunities. Skill aspirants and professionals can use a wide range of resources to equip themselves with new-age skills. Our collaborations with leading knowledge providers, is enabling users to access a rich repository of high-quality, self-paced learning content.”

The edtech major upGrad has been the torchbearer in the online learning space and has enabled multiple platforms to reach out to thousands of skill aggregators to operate in its full capacity, thus bringing upskilling close to students and working professionals across Indian states. Currently, 50+ institutions are conducting their classes seamlessly through upGrad Live, with over 45,000 students registered. Some of the institutions include Nagpur University, Lovely Professional University, Jamia Hamdard University, Sinhgad Group of Institution, ABES Engineering College, along with several colleges from Tripura.

Today, skilling programs through the methods of virtual learning and remote classroom has brought a wave of change and has certainly become a game-changer.  While every individual, in their personal capacity, is trying to mitigate the adverse effects of the disruption, upGrad, with its tech-based solution, is moving strongly to enable India to resume to its full potential and accept the new normal. 

About National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)

National Skill Development Corporation, working under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, is a unique public-private-partnership which aims to catalyse creation of quality vocational training ecosystem in India. The organisation provides funding to build scalable and profitable vocational training initiatives. Its mandate is also to enable support system which focuses on quality assurance, information systems and train-the-trainer academies either directly or through partnerships. Since establishment in 2009, NSDC has trained more than 2 crore people through its partnership with 600+ training partners, wide a robust network of 11,000+ training centres spread over 600 districts across the country. NSDC has institutionalized 37 Sector Skill Councils and is also implementing Government’s flagship skill development schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), among others. For more, visit www.nsdcindia.org

About upGrad

upGrad is India’s largest online higher education company. Founded in early 2015, upGrad has onboarded over 53K paid learners and impacted more than half a million individuals globally, within a short span of 5 years.

upGrad provides online programs in the areas of Data Science, Technology, Management and Law to college students, working professionals and enterprises. These programs are designed and delivered in collaboration with top-notch universities like IIT Madras, IIIT Bangalore, MICA, NMIMS Global Access, Jindal Global Law School, Duke CE, Deakin University, Liverpool John Moores University and others.

With an 85% program completion rate, robust tech platform, outcome-based learning approach, industry-relevant curriculum, finest university credentials, strong mentorship, and steadfast placement support, upGrad has established its position as the leader in the Indian education system.

IIIT Bangalore and upGrad’s PG Diploma in Data Science is India’s first-ever PG Diploma to be recommended and validated by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM). The program is India’s largest Data Science program with over 10,000 alumni & learner-base, which now provides learners with certification from NASSCOM FutureSkills, thereby making the program aligned to Government approved National Occupational Standards (NOS) to facilitate the upskilling of India’s IT workforce and make them abreast of the new-age skills. Through this first-of-its-kind collaboration, upGrad joins NASSCOM’s mission to make India a hub for innovation and a global hotspot for a skilled talent pool.

upGrad has been awarded the title of ‘Best Tech for Education’ by IAMAI in 2019. upGrad received the ‘Best Education Brands’ award by Economic Times in 2018, Most Innovative Companies in India’ by Fast Company in 2017 and has made it to LinkedIn’s ‘Top 25 Startups’ two years in a row in 2018 and 2019. Link: www.upgrad.com