To address the growing skills gap and provide industry-aligned technology skills to students, EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) has launched the NextGen Employability Program in Alleppey, Kerala. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Edunet Foundation and the Labour and Skills Department of the Kerala government through the State Skill Development Mission – Kerala Academy for Skills and Excellence (KASE), aims to extend its reach to 4,000 students and 2,000 engineering faculty members across India.
Program Overview
The program specifically targets unemployed science graduates and provides a three-month, 160-hour classroom-based training focused on coding foundations and web development using MERN Technology (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js). The training is designed to enhance the technical aptitude and placement potential of students, particularly those who are financially marginalized and are pursuing undergraduate degrees in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Key Competencies and Impact
The NextGen Employability Program aims to build key competencies in students, including:
- Critical Thinking
- Problem-Solving
- Effective Communication
- Workplace Readiness
- Industry 4.0 Skills (e.g., data analytics, cloud computing, full-stack development)
Since its inception in 2023, the program has benefitted over 5,500 students and 3,000 faculty members across more than 40 colleges in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. In Kerala, the program will serve students in multiple locations, including Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kollam, with KASE providing essential training infrastructure. Each batch will include 50-60 students who will receive specialized instruction and project-based learning.
Placement Assistance and Industry Collaboration
The program also includes placement assistance, helping qualified participants secure meaningful economic opportunities in the technology sector. Employee volunteers from EY GDS will contribute by mentoring, coaching, and sharing critical industry experience with the students.
Leadership Insights
- Manesh Patel, Global Operations Leader at EY GDS, emphasized the transformative impact of the program on the student community, aiming to create a more inclusive and dynamic digital economy.
- Veena N Madhavan, Managing Director at KASE, highlighted that the collaboration will equip students with industry-relevant technical skills, boosting their employability prospects and attracting top tech companies to Kerala.
- Nagesh Singh, CEO of the Edunet Foundation, noted that the collaboration reflects a commitment to transforming education and employability in India, building a globally relevant workforce.
This initiative represents a significant step in empowering the next generation with the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving job market, fostering a positive impact on both the local and national economy.
