upGrad, one of Asia’s largest integrated learning skilling and workforce development majors, has partnered strategically with the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO) to provide career opportunities for military veterans and their dependents. This initiative aims to support veterans, their spouses, young graduates, and widows of martyrs in transitioning smoothly into India’s corporate workforce.
Through this alliance, upGrad will offer training programmes tailored to meet industry requirements. These programmes will cover key domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Marketing, Data Science, and vocational courses. The initiative, which focuses on white-collar and blue-collar jobs, aims to promote robust economic and social involvement for military families.
AWPO, started in May 1999 under the Adjutant General’s Branch of the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army), is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating second careers for retired Army troops, their families, and widows. The organization facilitates employment placements in the government, semi-government, and private sectors. As of January 2025, AWPO had successfully placed over 1,30,000 veterans, including officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs), other ranks (ORs), and their dependents, enhancing India’s ex-army placement ecosystem.
Major Gen Ajay Singh Chauhan, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal (Retd), and Head of AWPO stated:
Many military personnel retire between 35 and 40, making career transitions crucial for their financial stability. He noted that while veterans bring valuable experience, their skills need to be aligned with industry demands.
The partnership with upGrad will enable veterans to enhance their skill sets, making them industry-ready and ensuring successful career transitions. AWPO operates through 17 regional offices, including in Jammu and Kashmir. In the past year, it has placed over 16,000 JCOs, 450 officers, and 300 widows or dependents in various corporate sectors.
Srikanth Iyengar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of upGrad Enterprise, emphasized the company’s commitment to skilling and career development, stating:
This partnership aligns with India’s broader economic and workforce development goals. He highlighted that while army personnel bring unmatched discipline, leadership, and resilience, upGrad will provide tailored training to enhance their soft skills and business acumen, ensuring a seamless transition from military to corporate roles.
The cooperation between upGrad and AWPO aims to establish a systematic pathway for military veterans to enter the workforce, thereby meeting the growing demand for trained individuals. As the Indian government prioritizes skill development, the initiative is a key step toward empowering military families and promoting economic inclusion.
upGrad, incorporated in 2015, provides various online and hybrid skilling programmes, certifications, and bootcamps under its B2C portfolio. It also enables leading Indian and international universities to offer diplomas, master’s degrees, and executive doctorates. In addition, the corporate skilling section offers chosen programmes specialized to Enterprise clients and additional recruitment and employment services.
