NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, AUG 23
For thousands of young people growing up outside India’s major technology hubs, a career in cloud computing or artificial intelligence can often seem distant—not because of a lack of ambition, but because globally recognised training, industry connections and the right credentials are harder to access.
A new nationwide initiative is seeking to change that equation.
- 150,000 learners to receive foundational cloud and AI literacy through AWS digital training content
- 10,000 youth to undergo intensive, job-ready training through the AWS re/Start programme
- Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across all States and Union Territories to be prioritised, opening new pathways beyond metros
- AWS Certification and employer interview opportunities to connect trained youth directly with the technology job market
- National Hackathon to give young learners a platform to showcase cloud and AI solutions before industry and hiring leaders
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the guidance of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, and Cultus Education, have launched a nationwide cloud and AI skilling initiative in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), aimed at taking future-ready technology skills deeper into India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
The programme plans to provide 150,000 learners with foundational AI and cloud literacy through AWS digital training content, while 10,000 participants will receive intensive, job-ready training through AWS re/Start, a free, cohort-based workforce development programme designed to help individuals build cloud computing skills and connect with employment opportunities at local employers.
From small-town classrooms to cloud careers
The initiative is designed around a simple employment proposition: young people should not have to move to a metropolitan city merely to gain access to the skills needed for technology jobs.
Delivered 100% online through Cultus Education, the NSDC-selected delivery partner, the programme will cover all States and Union Territories, with particular emphasis on youth from underserved communities.
For learners who may have limited exposure to the technology industry, the programme offers a structured progression—from basic digital literacy to advanced cloud and AI skills, certification and potential employer connections.
NSDC and Cultus, with AWS re/Start and AWS digital training content as the enablement programmes, are seeking to address three major barriers faced by youth in smaller cities: limited access to globally recognised technical training, fewer connections with technology employers and the absence of credentials needed to compete for cloud and AI roles.
150,000 learners to get their first taste of AI and cloud
The first stage of the learning journey will allow participants to enrol through an online registration portal and access AWS digital training content at their own pace.
This foundational phase is intended to help learners understand the fundamentals of cloud computing and artificial intelligence while building the confidence to progress towards more intensive training.
Participants who demonstrate readiness can then move into AWS re/Start, where they will undergo structured, instructor-led training covering cloud infrastructure, security, networking and AI fundamentals.
The programme also incorporates practical learning through hands-on labs, real-world scenarios and coursework, rather than relying solely on classroom-style instruction.
10,000 job-ready candidates to get intensive training
For the 10,000 selected participants entering AWS re/Start, the focus will shift from basic awareness to employability.
With professional mentors and accredited instructors, participants will develop skills in programming, networking, security and relational databases, along with cloud and AI fundamentals.
The programme aims to take learners beyond simply completing a course. Graduates will earn an AWS Certification, an industry-recognised credential that validates cloud computing skills.
More importantly from an employment perspective, graduates will also gain access to qualified interview opportunities through connections with local employers.
That employer-facing component could prove particularly significant for youth in smaller cities, where finding a direct bridge between training providers and technology companies can be a major hurdle.
‘Opportunity should not be determined by geography’
Highlighting the wider national employment and development objective, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, said:
“This initiative reflects the vision of Viksit Bharat, where access to opportunity is not determined by geography or background. 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 equipped 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.”
The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 talent hubs comes at a time when cloud computing and AI are becoming increasingly important across sectors, creating demand for workers with technology skills beyond traditional metropolitan talent pools.
AWS: A three-way win for youth, employers and communities
Rani Burchmore, APJC Lead, AWS Skilling & Social Impact, said:
“AWS re/Start brings ‘net-new’ talent into the workforce, establishing a win-win-win scenario for individuals to launch successful careers in cloud, organisations to increase their competitive edge with in-demand talent, and communities to thrive and grow. We are proud to work with NSDC and Cultus Education to build the diverse, robust cloud workforce of the future, enabling organisations to accelerate their innovation with the AWS Cloud.”
The programme therefore seeks to create an employment ecosystem rather than merely deliver another online certification course—with learners, employers and local communities forming part of the same skilling pipeline.
‘Learning must translate into meaningful career opportunities’
For Cultus Education, the key test of the initiative will ultimately be whether training produces tangible career outcomes.
Nalin Singh, Group Managing Director, Cultus Education, said:
“The true measure of skilling is whether learning translates into confidence, credentials and meaningful career opportunities. Our focus is to make globally relevant cloud and AI skills accessible beyond major metros, creating an outcome-led journey from learning and training to certification and employer connections.”
That approach places employability at the centre of the programme, particularly for learners who may not have the financial means or family circumstances to relocate to cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune or Delhi for technology training.
National Hackathon to put young talent in front of industry
The initiative will culminate in a National Hackathon, giving participants an opportunity to demonstrate their cloud and AI capabilities before hiring managers, industry leaders and other key stakeholders.
For young learners from emerging talent hubs, the hackathon could provide an additional opportunity to turn skills into visibility—and potentially visibility into employment.
The initiative is expected to create wider social and economic impact by expanding access to high-quality technology training and employment opportunities, particularly across underserved and emerging talent hubs.
With its online-first model, the programme seeks to remove geography as a barrier and create a continuous pathway—from foundational digital literacy to advanced cloud and AI skills, industry certification, practical experience and employer engagement.
Prashant Sinha, Chief Operating Officer, NSDC, was also present at the launch.
