EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) proudly announces the launch of the NextGen Employability Programme, a pioneering initiative conducted in collaboration with the Edunet Foundation and the Labour and Skills Department, Government of Kerala, through the State Skill Development Mission – Kerala Academy for Skills and Excellence (KASE). This monumental initiative will extend the programme’s reach to an impressive 4,000 students and 2,000 engineering faculty members across India, furthering the mission of EY GDS to bridge the skills gap in India’s tech workforce.
The Kerala programme primarily targets unemployed graduates from the science stream. It includes a rigorous three-month, 160-hour classroom-based training in coding foundations and web development with MERN Technology, designed to enhance the student’s technical aptitude and placement potential.
Manesh Patel, Global Operations Leader, EY GDS, shared his thoughts about the programme:
The NextGen Employability Programme has had a profound and transformative impact on the student community. Our association with Edunet Foundation and KASE reiterates our commitment to nurturing the next generation of professionals in the tech industry. By investing in the future workforce and fostering a positive impact on the tech industry, we are working toward creating a more inclusive and dynamic digital economy. Through these efforts, EY GDS continues demonstrating leadership in corporate responsibility and community engagement, and our impactful contribution to the sectors and societies we serve.
The NextGen Employability Programme is especially curated to address the critical skills gap and to provide industry-aligned technology skills to students. It aims to build competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, and workplace readiness, alongside Industry 4.0 skills including data analytics, cloud computing, and full-stack development, ensuring that students are equipped with the most relevant and in-demand skills.
Managing Director of KASE, Dr Veena N. Madhavan, IAS, stated:
The Kerala Academy of Skills and Excellence (KASE) is pleased to collaborate with EY GDS on a programme designed to equip students with industry-relevant technical skills and boost their employability prospects. It would support the youth with technical skills and open doors to internships, apprenticeships, and jobs. This collaboration enables us to provide our students with training that meets the evolving needs of the job market, supporting them to thrive in their careers. This collaboration will create meaningful opportunities and make an impact on the lives of our students. We hope the availability of a strategic talent pool capable of driving transformation will attract top tech companies to the state.
Since its inception in January 2023, the NextGen Employability Programme has substantially benefited over 5,500 students and 3,000 faculty members across 40+ colleges in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. This initiative targets explicitly financially marginalized students aged 18-24 pursuing undergraduate degrees in engineering and non-engineering courses from the fast-growing Tier II and Tier III cities.
Each batch includes 50-60 students across multiple centres in Alleppey, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and other locations. These students will receive specialized instruction and project-based learning, with KASE providing essential training infrastructure. This programme also includes placement assistance for qualified participants, helping to enable a broad approach to enhancing employability among Kerala’s youth. Employee volunteers from EY GDS will contribute through mentoring, coaching, and sharing critical industry experience to prepare the students for meaningful economic opportunities in the technology sector.
