The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Pearson, a company specializing in learning and assessment, have announced a partnership to boost the employability skills of young people in India. As per an official statement, this collaboration aims to introduce Pearson VUE’s IT Specialist Certification and Pearson’s English Language Testing programmes, including Versant and Mondly, onto NSDC’s eLearning platforms.
Pearson VUE asserts its administration of more than 19 million certification and licensure exams each year, spanning diverse fields such as academia, IT and healthcare. The IT Specialist Certification programme thoroughly verifies software development, networking and security expertise. The statement added that through its curriculum and practice resources, this programme offers essential training for individuals aspiring to become proficient IT professionals.
Responding to the latest development, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC, MD, NSDC International, said:
Cultivating a brighter and more competitive future for our nation’s youth is paramount. Our partnership with Pearson marks a significant step towards empowering Indian youth with the skills demanded by today’s job market. The infusion of Pearson VUE’s esteemed certification testing programs into NSDC’s eLearning Platforms will undoubtedly amplify employability prospects. Together, we embark on a journey to equip our youth with the expertise and language proficiency to succeed in an evolving professional landscape.
The partnership was formally announced on July 30 at the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2023, held at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. The agreement occurred in the presence of the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. It was signed by Ved Mani Tiwari, chief executive officer of the National Skill Development Corporation, and Vinay Swamy, country head for Pearson India.
Mondly by Pearson is a global online language learning solution that offers top-tier instruction in English and 40 other languages through its app, website, virtual reality, and augmented reality products. The platform aims to build bridges between people and cultures by making language learning fun and easy through technological innovation. Versant measures various language skills and competencies anywhere, at any time, using patented AI technology to help the organization set a global standard level of communication – and get a view on language proficiency fast.
Pearson VUE claims to maintain a network of almost 20,000 meticulously secure testing centres across the globe, enabling online examinations in over 180 countries.
Gary Gates, Managing Director of Pearson VUE, commented:
Partnering with NSDC in this transformative initiative highlights Pearson’s commitment to empowering India’s workforce with cutting-edge skills and language proficiency. Through this collaboration, we aim to enhance the accessibility of the globally relevant IT Specialist Certification program, which confirms the foundational IT skills today’s employers seek.
Pearson Online Learning Services (POLS) offers an integrated suite of services for organizations and educators at any stage of their digital transformation journey. For more than 25 years, the platform has helped its partner institutions create personalized, engaging, industry-focused learning experiences quickly and at scale—the firm claims to have worked with over 450 programmes at over 30 institutions globally. In 2021 alone, its team across eight countries, including over 100 in Australia, enabled 14,000 students to improve their lives through learning.
