THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, AUGUST 23, 2026
In a major push to democratise
access to technology skills beyond India's metropolitan centres, the National
Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has joined hands with Cultus Education and Amazon
Web Services (AWS) to launch a nationwide cloud and artificial intelligence
(AI) skilling initiative that will equip 1.5 lakh learners with foundational
digital capabilities and provide intensive, job-ready training to 10,000
participants.
The initiative seeks to bridge
the technology-skilling divide confronting youth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities by
providing access to globally relevant cloud and AI training,
industry-recognised credentials and employment opportunities without requiring
learners to relocate to major metros.
Under the programme, 1.5 lakh
learners will receive foundational AI and cloud literacy through AWS digital
training content, while 10,000 selected participants will undergo intensive
training through AWS re/Start, a free, cohort-based workforce development
programme designed to build cloud computing skills and connect trained
candidates with employment opportunities at local employers. Graduates will
also gain access to qualified interview opportunities.
The initiative, delivered
entirely online through Cultus Education, the NSDC-selected delivery partner,
will cover all states and Union Territories and place a particular focus on
youth from underserved communities and emerging talent hubs.
The programme is aimed at addressing
some of the key barriers faced by young people outside major technology
centres, including limited access to globally recognised technical training,
inadequate connections with technology employers and a lack of credentials
required to compete for cloud and AI-related roles.
Minister of State (Independent
Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for
Education Jayant Chaudhary said the initiative reflected the vision of Viksit
Bharat, where access to opportunity should not be determined by geography or
background.
"As India moves towards
becoming a global hub for innovation, technology and talent, it is essential
that our youth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns also get the opportunity to equip
themselves with the skills needed for the jobs of the future," Chaudhary
said.
He added that such initiatives
would play an important role in building an inclusive, skilled and future-ready
workforce, which is central to India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
Rani Burchmore, APJC Lead, AWS
Skilling and Social Impact, said AWS re/Start brings new talent into the
workforce and creates a "win-win-win" outcome for individuals,
organisations and communities.
"We are proud to work with
NSDC and Cultus Education to build the diverse, robust cloud workforce of the
future, enabling organisations to accelerate their innovation with the AWS
Cloud," she said.
Nalin Singh, Group Managing
Director, Cultus Education, said the real measure of skilling was whether
learning translated into confidence, credentials and meaningful career
opportunities.
"Our focus is to make
globally relevant cloud and AI skills accessible beyond major metros, creating
an outcome-led journey from learning and training to certification and employer
connections," Singh said.
Learners will be able to register
through an online portal and begin with AWS digital training content, allowing
them to build foundational cloud and AI skills at their own pace. Participants
demonstrating the required readiness can subsequently progress to AWS re/Start
for structured, instructor-led training.
The advanced programme will cover
areas including cloud infrastructure, security, networking and AI fundamentals.
With professional mentors and accredited instructors, participants will develop
practical capabilities in programming, networking, security and relational
databases through real-world scenario-based learning, hands-on laboratories and
coursework.
On completion, graduates will
earn an AWS Certification, an industry-recognised credential validating cloud
computing skills, while also gaining access to qualified interview
opportunities through connections with local employers.
The learning journey will
culminate in a National Hackathon, where participants will have an opportunity
to showcase their cloud and AI solutions before hiring managers, industry
leaders and other stakeholders.
The initiative is expected to
create wider social and economic impact by expanding access to high-quality
technology training and employment opportunities, particularly for young people
in underserved and emerging talent hubs.
By adopting a 100 per cent online
delivery model, the programme seeks to remove geographical barriers and enable
learners from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to access training without moving to
metropolitan centres, creating a pathway from foundational digital literacy to
globally recognised credentials and employment opportunities.
Prashant Sinha, Chief Operating
Officer, NSDC, was also present at the launch.
