THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

MUMBAI, JANUARY 29, 2026

Reliance Foundation marked a defining milestone in its nationwide skilling journey at the 21st Century Skills Conclave, announcing that it has reached over 12 lakh people, skilled more than 3 lakh youth, and enabled employment for over 1.8 lakh young Indians. The Conclave brought together industry leaders, policymakers, skilling practitioners and youth representatives to deliberate on India’s evolving skills landscape and the future of work, while celebrating the inspiring journeys of young people who have successfully transitioned from learning to earning.

Designed as a platform for meaningful dialogue and action, the Conclave featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside conversations and first-hand accounts from youth navigating the world of work. The discussions focused on accelerating job-ready skilling aligned with the Skill India mission, especially at a time when rapid technological change is reshaping industries, redefining roles and demanding adaptable, future-focused capabilities.

Underscoring the growing importance of human and workplace skills, Madhavi Sardeshmukh, Director of Vocational Education and Training, Government of Maharashtra, emphasised that capabilities are becoming more critical than degrees in building a future-ready workforce. Congratulating Reliance Foundation on its impactful milestones, she called for deeper industry collaboration through public–private partnership models such as PM-SETU to strengthen India’s skilling ecosystem and enhance employability.

Highlighting Reliance Foundation’s long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, Nupur Bahl, Head – Skilling and Employment Programme, Reliance Foundation, said that India’s demographic dividend can translate into sustained national growth only when young people are equipped with future-ready skills. She noted that Reliance Foundation’s technology-enabled initiatives go beyond training to enable meaningful employment and long-term career pathways, helping young people build enhanced and resilient livelihoods.

The power of partnerships in creating scale and impact was echoed by NSDC CEO Arunkumar Pillai, who pointed to the successful completion of the first phase of the Future Ready Skill Initiative. He said the collaboration with Reliance Foundation has enabled thousands of learners to acquire industry-relevant skills and improve employability, adding that the second phase will further expand access to future-ready skills and strengthen India’s workforce for emerging opportunities.

With a future-focused approach that bridges aspiration, employability and industry demand, Reliance Foundation continues to address critical skills gaps through the use of technology, artificial intelligence and personalised learning pathways. As the nature of work evolves, the Foundation’s skilling initiatives are anchored around strengthening human and workplace skills, enabling digital and technology fluency, and fostering a culture of lifelong learning to prepare young Indians for a rapidly changing job market.

Across 28 states, Reliance Foundation’s skilling programme focuses on preparing young people — particularly graduates who are not in education, employment or training — for first-time formal employment by building communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptability and collaboration skills, alongside exposure to emerging technologies shaping the future of jobs. The Foundation also works closely with higher education institutions and national bodies such as AICTE and NSDC to strengthen alignment between education, employability and industry relevance. Complementing these efforts is the Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy, an open-access digital platform offering AI-enabled, personalised skilling pathways and over 100 self-paced courses, including NSDC-recognised certifications, enabling youth across the country to acquire future-ready skills.

A key highlight of the Conclave was the felicitation of over 40 young achievers from across India, recognised for their perseverance and professional success. Among them was 24-year-old Kashish Sawant, who secured her first job through Reliance Foundation’s 21st Century Skills Initiative and progressed rapidly along an accelerated career pathway within months. Her journey reflected how acquiring the right skills can transform confidence, clarity and career direction.

As India positions itself for a technology-driven future, Reliance Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging partnerships, digital innovation and AI-led learning to strengthen the national skilling ecosystem, ensuring that young people are not only employable today but fully prepared for the opportunities of tomorrow.