In a major boost to India’s digital workforce development, AI Data Cloud company Snowflake has partnered with Nasscom’s FutureSkills Prime, a joint skilling initiative by MeitY and Nasscom, to train over 100,000 learners in AI and data technologies over the next two years.
The collaboration aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to make India a Digital Talent Nation. Snowflake’s free, on-demand entry-level courses will be offered across 2,100+ academic institutions and are also open to working professionals.
Addressing India’s AI Talent Shortage
India currently ranks #1 in AI skills penetration and is a global leader in AI research, but it faces a 51% talent gap in the sector. By 2026, the demand for AI professionals is expected to exceed 1 million.
To bridge this gap, Snowflake’s courses will follow the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and National Credit Framework (NCrF), ensuring academic credit recognition and practical skill integration for students.
Courses will cover roles from data engineers and analysts to AI developers and ML engineers, with six structured learning modules tailored to learners at all levels.
Building a Future-Ready Workforce
“Together, we are bridging today’s skills gap and building a future-ready workforce equipped to lead in a data-driven world,” said Cassie Wallgren, VP, Global Educational Services, Snowflake.
Abhilasha Gaur, CEO of IT-ITeS SSC Nasscom, highlighted the programme’s alignment with India’s digital transformation goals. “These courses will empower students and professionals to harness the power of AI and the Data Cloud.”
Vijayant Rai, Snowflake India MD, emphasized the importance of aligning AI strategies with robust data strategies. He noted that the courses are designed to enhance career readiness and help organisations leverage data for competitive advantage and innovation.
Also read: India a Key Player in Global Tech: Nasscom
Free Courses, Certifications, and Career Value
Through FutureSkills Prime, learners can access six free learning modules and gain joint certifications from Nasscom and Snowflake. The courses are eligible for university credits, boosting both academic profiles and career prospects.
As more learners enter AI and data roles, this initiative sets a new benchmark in industry-academia collaboration, ensuring that India’s digital workforce is equipped to lead global innovation in data, cloud, and AI.
