The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Cultus Education on Sunday launched a nationwide cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) skilling initiative in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), with the programme targeting 150,000 learners for foundational training and 10,000 participants for intensive, job-ready skills. The initiative, supported by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), will focus on youth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across all states and Union Territories. It will be delivered entirely online through Cultus Education, NSDC’s selected delivery partner.
“NSDC and Cultus, with AWS re/Start and AWS digital training content as the enablement programmes, aim to address the challenges faced by youth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities — including limited access to globally recognised technical training, few connections to technology employers, and an absence of credentials needed to compete for cloud and AI roles,” the ministry said in a statement.
NSDC is a public-private partnership under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship that works to promote skill development and support India’s vocational training ecosystem.
Under the programme, 150,000 learners will receive access to AWS digital training content covering basic cloud and AI skills. Of these, 10,000 participants will undergo AWS re/Start, a structured training programme covering cloud infrastructure, networking, security, programming, databases and AI fundamentals.
The re/Start training will include instructor-led sessions, practical exercises and mentorship. Participants who complete the programme will receive an AWS certification and access to interview opportunities with local employers.
The initiative will also include a national hackathon, where participants will present cloud and AI projects.
“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. Such initiatives will play an important role in building an inclusive, skilled and future-ready workforce, which is central to our journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” said Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
The initiative comes at a time when AI and digital skills are becoming increasingly important across a range of jobs, with employers placing greater emphasis on technology readiness among workers.
The development also comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address on August 15, announced a plan to provide AI skills training to one crore youth over the next year.
The programme will be delivered online through Cultus Education, allowing learners from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to participate without relocating. Learners will first access AWS digital content and those selected for the intensive programme will subsequently undergo the re/Start training.
Cultus Education is an education and skilling company that provides online learning and workforce development programmes, including technology-focused training.
The initiative is aimed at addressing gaps in access to technical training and employer networks among young people in smaller cities. Participants will be trained in areas including cloud computing, networking and security, with the programme linking the intensive training component to certification and employer interviews.
