The Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission (KKEM), an initiative by Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), the Government of Kerala, has partnered with Coursera, a leading global online learning platform, to equip youth across the state with industry-relevant skills. This initiative, announced at a special event at John Cox Engineering College Kanamoola in Thiruvananthapuram, seeks to train 60,000 Kerala citizens by 2025, providing them with crucial skills for 17 high-demand digital job roles. The association is a key component of KKEM, which aims to teach 30 lakh people and create 20 lakh employment by 2026.
The vision of this programme is not just focused on employment but also on building a robust talent pipeline that aligns education with industry needs, fostering sustainable and inclusive growth. This initiative is built on a two-pronged approach:
- Empowering the workforce of tomorrow: By introducing Coursera’s cutting-edge content and micro-credentials, graduating students will gain industry-relevant skills that make them job-ready from day one. This includes the Talent Accelerator Programme, a three-month intensive initiative for final-year students in higher education institutions across Kerala, with the first cohort launching in 250 colleges.
- Upskilling job seekers and professionals: Individuals seeking new opportunities or re-entering the workforce will gain access to role-based learning and credentials designed for high-demand digital jobs. Talent Curation Executives at local self-government nodes will be trained to manage job stations, driving skilling initiatives at the block panchayat level.
Speaking about the collaboration, K.N. Balagopal, Finance Minister of Kerala, said:
Kerala has always prioritized education and skill development as the foundation of its growth. This partnership with Coursera is a step forward in ensuring our youth and workforce are equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. By aligning education with industry needs, we are fostering local innovation and positioning Kerala as a hub of global talent and opportunity.
All learners will have access to 40 virtual academies focused on key domains such as AI/ML, cloud computing, cybersecurity, creative design, logistics and supply chain, and digital marketing. These academies feature Professional Certificates from leading companies like Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Adobe, and Salesforce. They are designed to help learners from all backgrounds—regardless of degree or prior industry experience—gain the skills needed to launch their careers in just a few months.
Tim Hannan, Chief Marketing Officer of Coursera, added:
We are thrilled to partner with K-DISC on this transformative initiative. Kerala is setting an inspiring example of how collaboration between governments, educators, and industry can create a skilled workforce and unlock new growth opportunities. Together, we share a vision to make learning accessible to all, empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and fostering talent that excels both locally and globally.
Coursera and KKEM will use a community-driven approach to train over 1,000 mentors from Kerala, including teachers, career counsellors, and community leaders, to provide learners with tailored guidance. Four-day mentor enablement workshops will be held in Trivandrum, Kochi, Thrissur, and Kozhikode. Mentors will also receive Career Coach Certification from Coursera via the Digital Workforce Management System (DWMS) interface. This allows them to successfully teach learners and provide ongoing help with skilling opportunities, ensuring that development reaches all corners of the state.
Coursera was launched in 2012 by two Stanford Computer Science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, to provide universal access to world-class learning. It partners with over 350 leading universities and industry partners to offer a broad catalogue of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, Guided Projects, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Institutions worldwide use Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, citizens, and students in data science, technology, and business.
