New Delhi, July 19, 2021.

Cisco Networking Academy and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have partnered to address the shortage of a tech-proficient workforce in India and create career opportunities for millions in the digital economy.

The partnership will offer access to the Cisco Networking Academy courses through NSDC’s eSkill India platform, to provide comprehensive digital skills critical for the digital-first world.The demand for technical talent continues to outpace supply, and as an example, Cyber security demand is expected to increase five times over the next four years in India.The partnership aims to enable free access to an industry-relevant global curriculum and content in Networking, Cyber security, Programming, the Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Essentials, and Linux.The Networking Academy offers courses to help develop foundational Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills needed to design, build and manage networks, along with soft skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.The courses are open to all and will prepare candidates for entry-level ICT jobs, help them pursue additional training or education, and earn globally recognized certification.

eSkillIndia isan e-learning aggregator portal from NSDC that brings together digital learning resources through various Indian and global knowledge partnerships.It enables access to the best-in-class learning resources for the Indian youth. Presently, the portal catalogues over 1,200 digital courses from its partners, and 4000+ additional courses are connected through affiliate channels across various sectors in multiple languages, providing learners with the technology and skills needed to prosper in a rapidly transforming digital world. 

Commenting on the partnership, Ms. Vandana Bhatnagar, Chief Program Officer, National Skill Development Corporation said, “NSDC endeavours to build a tech-enabled workforce to meet the evolving needs of the new-age work environment.  This partnership underscores a mutual commitment to make digital skilling accessible to all.”

Harish Krishnan, Managing Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Engagements at Cisco India said, "India's demand for a digitallyskilled workforce is expected to increase nine-fold by 2025.As we march steadily towards a digital economy, we need no less than a skilling revolution to bridge this considerable gap. This partnership with NSDCaims to upskillthe existing talent in emerging technologies to drive innovation, accelerate growth, and transform India into a Digital Talent Nation."