Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Nasscom-developed FutureSkills online skilling platform in Hyderabad on Monday. The move seeks to address one of the factors holding back adoption and exploitation of new tech — the lack of adequately skilled professionals.
To rectify that, the FutureSkills online platform is expected to kick off a comprehensive reskilling program, providing certifications for acquired new tech skills. According to the Information Technology Ministry, the platform has identified eight new technologies to focus on — Artifical Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Robotics Process Automation, Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics, 3D printing/Additive manufacturing, Cloud Computing and Social Media.
The platform will provide online content from prominent institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, IITs, online education platforms Coursera and Udacity. The government is also planning to set up Centres of Excellence in New Technologies across the country -- for Fintech at Chennai, for IoT in Agriculture at Guwahati and Patna, for Virtual Reality at Bhubaneshwar, for Blockchain at Gurugram, for Medical technology at Lucknow and Electronics products at Bengaluru.
The FutureSkills platform is also expected to impart the skills required for new age IT professionals, with Nasscom President R Chandrasekhar stating that in the initial period, FutureSkills would benefit over 4 million new and old employees. “The platform, developed by Nasscom, and supported by the government, is initially aimed at skilling 2 million employees and 2 million youth initially,” he said.
The Prime Minister, for his part, observed that India is in the process of a digital revolution and the potential benefits were of immense value. However, the advancement of technology like blockchain will require rapid change in skill profiles.
“We stand today, at a moment in history, when technology, if used well for public good, can deliver lasting prosperity to mankind and a sustainable future for our planet. Disruptive technologies such as Block-chain and the Internet of Things, will have a profound impact in the way we live and work. They will require rapid adaptation in our workplaces,” Modi said, adding that skilling citizens for the workplace of the future is now a global imperative.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the sheer scale of the potential that India holds in the sphere. “India is the hot-spot of digital innovation, across all sectors. We not only possess a growing number of innovative entrepreneurs, but also a growing market for tech innovation.”
The progress of the Digital India mission, he pointed out, would have been unthinkable a few years ago. “This has been possible through a change in public behaviour and processes. Digital India has not remained merely a Government initiative, but has become a way of life. Technology has transcended powerpoint presentations and has become an inseparable part of people’s lives,” he says.
"Around 450 aircraft are now operational in India, including those owned privately. This is the figure since Independence. However, just within last one year, there have been orders for 900 new planes," Modi said.
Modi stressed the need to enhance aviation infrastructure capacity to meet the rising demand for air travel.
The Sagarmala project for port development is ushering not only development of ports but also port-led development, Modi said.
"Globalisation is a reality and top infrastructure is needed to keep pace with it," Modi said.
"If we have to carve out a place in a globalised world, we need to enhance our waterways," he added.
New railway lines for Mumbai, waterways and a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea will be completed by 2020, Modi said.
