Today, the gap between the supply of employable youth and industry demand for skilled individuals is widening exponentially. The Economic Survey for 2023-24 states that only 51.25 percent of qualified youth are employable. However, the industry is in urgent need for skilled talent particularly for new and emerging technology led sectors. Youth from remote and underserved communities often lack access to formal training and career development opportunities. Recognizing this challenge, the NIIT Foundation launched the Career Development Centres (CDCs) across India since 2008, to act as a crucial link between talent and opportunity.
NIIT Foundation’s CDCs are not just training and placement institutes; they are comprehensive ecosystems designed to address the employability gap through short-term, job-oriented courses and industry-driven collaborations. By focusing on key skills including digital literacy, IT skills, retail management, and BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance), these centres have already enabled connecting thousands of youth with employers for job opportunities.
The success of NIIT Foundation’s CDCs lies in the holistic approach to job placement. Our centres go beyond classroom-driven learning by offering a carefully curated journey that includes:
- Mobilizing the community by engaging with families, schools and local influencers to create awareness about the importance of skill development. Once potential candidates are identified, the counsellors conduct personalized counselling to help the candidates choose the right course based on their aptitude, interest and market demand.
- The CDCs provide a market-aligned curriculum that blends technical skills with soft skills. The courses are structured to be short-term and industry focused, ensuring that youth are ready for various sectors of job. Industry certifications from leading technology giants are provided to add to the candidates’ employability.
- What truly sets NIIT Foundation’s CDCs apart is their strong network with industry leaders. CDCs connect students with job opportunities at top companies like Wipro, Microsoft, Cisco, and ICICI, facilitating direct placements. Continuous engagement with employers ensures that the curriculum remains relevant and aligned with real-world requirements.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Every year, we have thousands of students entering the job market. The CDCs have produced countless success stories that inspire and motivate.
- Niharika’s Journey: From a humble farming background and initial struggles with computer skills, Niharika discovered NIIT Foundation and enrolled in a Data Entry course. Through patient training and confidence-building CMLS sessions, she secured a placement at Adhan Solutions as a Data Entry Operator. Through intervention, she has been empowered to not only support her family, but is also an inspiration to her community.
- Bhargavi’s Journey: Overcoming the profound loss of her father and limited family support, Bhargavi found hope through NIIT Foundation’s BPO training program. With targeted counselling and tools like the “Grief Cycle Tool,” she rebuilt her self-confidence and earned a trainee role at Amara Raja Group. This allowed her to step up as the main breadwinner for her family.
Beyond Employment
NIIT Foundation’s CDCs aim to do more than just create jobs—they focus on building self-reliance. Considering that the focus is on both hard and soft skills, the centres enable individuals to pursue diverse career paths. Graduates have become role models to their own community members.
Demand for skilled professionals continues to grow year after year, and NIIT Foundation is expanding its reach to more remote areas and underserved urban communities. The goal is to create an inclusive and scalable model of skill development and employment generation, ensuring that we have a 100 percent skilled population by 2047.
