NSDC, Cultus Education Launch Nationwide Cloud and AI Skilling Initiative with AWS

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and Cultus Education have launched a nationwide cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) skilling initiative in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), targeting youth across India, particularly those living in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

The initiative aims to equip 150,000 learners with foundational knowledge of cloud computing and AI through AWS digital training content, while providing intensive, job-oriented training to 10,000 participants through the AWS re/Start programme. The programme is designed to expand access to industry-relevant technology skills and employment opportunities beyond major metropolitan centres.

The initiative is being positioned as an effort to create a future-ready workforce aligned with India’s long-term development goals under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. It will be delivered entirely online through Cultus Education, the delivery partner selected by NSDC, and will cover all states and Union Territories.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary said the initiative reflects the vision of a developed India in which access to opportunities is not determined by geography or background.

He said India’s emergence as a global hub for innovation, technology and talent requires young people in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns to have access to the skills needed for future employment. According to him, initiatives of this nature can contribute to building an inclusive, skilled and future-ready workforce, which is central to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

The programme seeks to address several challenges faced by young people outside India’s major technology hubs. These include limited access to globally recognised technical training, fewer opportunities to connect with technology employers and a lack of industry-recognised credentials required for cloud and AI-related jobs.

Through the online model, participants will be able to undertake training without relocating to metropolitan cities. The programme will provide a structured pathway beginning with basic digital literacy and progressing towards advanced cloud skills, certification and employment opportunities.

AWS re/Start will serve as the intensive training component of the initiative. The free, cohort-based workforce development programme is designed to help participants build practical cloud computing capabilities and prepare for employment opportunities with local employers. Graduates will also receive access to qualified interview opportunities.

Rani Burchmore, APJC Lead for AWS Skilling and Social Impact, said AWS re/Start is intended to bring new talent into the technology workforce while helping organisations meet their demand for skilled professionals. She said the partnership with NSDC and Cultus Education would contribute to developing a diverse cloud workforce and enable organisations to accelerate innovation through cloud technology.

Cultus Education Group Managing Director Nalin Singh said the success of a skilling programme should ultimately be measured by whether learning translates into confidence, recognised credentials and meaningful career opportunities.

He said the initiative aims to make globally relevant cloud and AI skills accessible to young people beyond major metropolitan areas, creating an outcome-oriented journey covering learning, training, certification and connections with employers.

Under the programme, learners can register online and begin with AWS digital training content covering foundational concepts in cloud computing and AI. The initial learning phase will allow participants to build basic knowledge at their own pace.

Learners who demonstrate the required level of readiness can progress to the AWS re/Start programme. The intensive training includes instructor-led sessions covering cloud infrastructure, networking, security and AI fundamentals.

Participants will also receive training in areas such as programming, networking, security and relational databases. The programme combines real-world scenarios, hands-on laboratory exercises, coursework and guidance from professional mentors and accredited instructors.

A key component of the initiative is its focus on industry-recognised certification and employment outcomes. Participants who successfully complete the relevant training will earn an AWS Certification, providing a recognised credential that validates their cloud computing capabilities.

The programme will also facilitate connections with local employers, giving graduates opportunities to participate in qualified interviews and explore potential employment in the technology sector.

The initiative is expected to have a wider social and economic impact by strengthening the technology talent pool in emerging locations. By prioritising underserved communities and talent hubs, the programme seeks to reduce geographical barriers that often prevent young people from accessing advanced technology training.

The organisers believe that providing online access to cloud and AI education can help create new career pathways while supporting India’s growing digital economy. The focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is also aimed at ensuring that the benefits of India’s expanding technology ecosystem reach a broader section of the country’s youth.

The programme will conclude with a National Hackathon, where participants will have an opportunity to demonstrate the cloud and AI solutions developed during their learning journey. The event will bring participants before hiring managers, industry leaders and other stakeholders, providing an additional platform to showcase their technical capabilities and innovation.

Prashant Sinha, Chief Operating Officer of NSDC, was also present at the launch.

With a combination of foundational digital learning, intensive technical training, industry certification, employer connections and practical innovation opportunities, NSDC, Cultus Education and AWS aim to establish a nationwide pathway for young Indians to acquire skills relevant to the rapidly evolving cloud and AI economy.

The initiative also underlines the growing emphasis on making advanced technology skills accessible outside India’s traditional metropolitan technology centres, supporting the broader objective of creating an inclusive and employment-oriented skilled workforce.