Industrial Training Institutes to Introduce ‘AI for All’ Curriculum for Enhanced Employability
Initiative led by Directorate General of Training with support from Future Right Skills Network that aims to make India’s youth future ready.
New Delhi : Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India will soon gear up to introduce the curriculum “AI for All,” aimed at building awareness on Artificial Intelligence (AI) which will prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. This initiative, spearheaded by the Future Right Skills Network (FRSN) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Training (DGT), marks a significant step towards equipping youth with awareness on AI to enhance their employability prospects.
The “AI for All” curriculum aims to initiate the journey into AI by fostering awareness, with a focus on bridging the gap between industry requirements and academic offerings. This step is crucial in aligning academic programs with the evolving needs of industries. The AI curriculum by FRSN is part of the larger initiative of DGT, to integrate AI learning at ITIs.
Formed in 2019, FRSN is a collaborative effort of QUEST Alliance, Accenture, Cisco, J.P. Morgan, and SAP Labs India. The collaborative underscores a collective commitment to empowering India’s youth for the knowledge economy. This initiative envisions to empower up to 2.5 million learners across 15,000 ITI’s nationwide, equipping them with essential future skills such as digital literacy, green mindsets, problem-solving, critical thinking and workplace readiness among others.
Aakash Sethi, CEO, Quest Alliance said that the objective behind developing the curriculum was to help learners gain a comprehensive understanding of AI, its history and principles as well as understand the types of AI. “In addition to this, learners can also explore the use of AI and Generative AI tools in creating various digital contents and in education. We also ensure that the learners understand and discuss the ethical considerations and responsible use of AI,” he said. He also added that by equipping our youth with future skills, we not only empower them to thrive in an increasingly complex landscape but also foster a community of lifelong learners and innovative problem-solvers.
On Thursday, in the presence of Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan the MOU between DGT and FRSN was exchanged. Mr Pradhan said, “For new entrants in the job market skilling is critical and for ones who are already working, reskilling and upskilling is critical.”
He said that he was also delighted that all the MoUs have an element of tech in it, which was imperative in making things evolve faster and also played a critical role in communication and networking. “Our present era is a disruptive era. Whoever is able to see it and tries to understand this, will remain relevant.”
The renewed MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration to work in four broad areas: curriculum and assessment to build employability skills, trainer development, women and work, and integration of future skills such as Green and AI.
Sindhu Gangadharan, SVP & MD, SAP Labs India expressed her enthusiasm on joining the partnership earlier this year. “We are delighted to announce our participation in FRSN. This strategic partnership creates exciting opportunities for collaboration among the Government, non-profit organizations, and industries, fostering a vital connection between academia and the business world. Our unwavering commitment lies in equipping students with the essential skills required to thrive in today’s dynamic work environment and the digital age,” she added.
Since the previous MOU in 2019, FRSN and DGT have spearheaded an initiative aimed at revolutionizing Employability Skills training within India’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Through the development of a digital Employability Skills (ES) curriculum, FRSN has catalyzed transformative learning experiences across all ITIs nationwide.
This pioneering effort has already made a profound impact, reaching 2.5 lakh youth within the ITI ecosystem. Complementing this achievement, FRSN has successfully trained 3,250 Employability Skills trainers, empowering them with the tools and knowledge to deliver high-quality instruction. Notably, several states have further bolstered this endeavor by appointing dedicated ES trainers, amplifying the program’s reach and effectiveness.
Central to this success is the robust support garnered from the eight State Governments, in collaboration with the DGT under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. This strategic partnership underscores a shared commitment to nurturing a skilled workforce equipped for the challenges of tomorrow’s job market.