upGrad’s ‘Joy of Learning’ to Transform 4,500 Lives for Job-Readiness
Mumbai : upGrad, Asia’s largest learning skilling and workforce development company is running on track to train 4500 learners coming out of less-privileged backgrounds under the aegis of its year-long initiative ‘Joy of Learning’. Led by the upGrad Foundation, the 100% Scholarship-based initiative saw a sizable donation by the upGrad workforce last year coupled with the company’s contribution of 1.3x totalling INR 3.18 crores to support higher education for those who aspire to attain a progressive career growth.
Learners’ enrollments have been made across cohort-based programs in Emerging Technologies to further enhance their skill competencies in AI and ML while others continue to benefit from a range of vocational courses including train-the-trainers programs for instructors of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across NSTI centres in collaboration with the GOI’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) along with designing, delivering and managing digital education with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). To date, over 400 first-generation women coming out of real Bharat have also signed up for upskilling programs to strengthen their digital expertise and command over new-age tools, thus getting ready for the forthcoming industrial challenges.
Under the leadership of Pramath Raj Sinha, upGrad Foundation continues to train individuals with specially curated programs for strengthening their knowledge of both, hard and soft skills for enhanced career growth. “India is home to immense talent but not everybody has access to high-quality education. While as a nation we’ve set ourselves an aspirational target of achieving a 50% GER by 2030, it’s important for all of us to pitch in when it comes to bringing high-quality education to the very last student and learner for whom access to learning remains a challenge. Therefore, our efforts in upskilling underserved Indians is a significant commitment to support India in becoming a future-ready and developed economy. In the last one year, we’ve seen our initiatives grow stronger, and they will continue to make a growing impact in the coming years as well. To ensure life-long learning and their future careers, the foundation will continue to support all deserving students through full-need based scholarships,” said Pramath Raj Sinha.
“While 2023 has been a strong growth year for the brand, this achievement marks another major milestone. It was made possible only because of our people who believe in upGrad’s journey and our mission of educating individuals who are passionate about growing in their careers, despite the socioeconomic challenges that had kept them at bay for so long. Therefore, to acknowledge their efforts and celebrate the win, special gift boxes are being curated and handmade with love by the beneficiaries of the Swades Foundation, led by Zarina and Ronnie Screwvala. Colleagues across regions would also engage in multi-day on-floor activities to celebrate festivities while also accelerating wider collaboration, teamwork and cultural diversity,” concluded Saurabh Deep Singla, CHRO, upGrad.