Planning and Execution of the Internship Program in Visionary Leadership
EduSkills Foundation, based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is a visionary leader in the field of education and skill development. Under his guidance, EduSkills Foundation has embarked on an ambitious and groundbreaking initiative — to facilitate 5 lakh (500,000) internships in three years. EduSkills Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on equipping India’s youth with industry-relevant skills through education and training. The foundation’s mission revolves around "learning for employability," aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world experience. By partnering with educational institutions, government agencies, and private organizations, EduSkills offers students the tools and skills needed to thrive in the fast-evolving job market. In addition to offering real-world exposure to students, the program also helped bridge the gap between academia and industry. By providing students with practical skills in alignment with industry standards, the initiative played a key role in enhancing the employability of technical graduates across India. This initiative also reflects the Government of India’s broader vision under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes experiential learning and industry partnerships.
The massive scale of the internship program involved participation from 87 colleges across India. These institutions were integral to the success of the initiative, enabling students to seamlessly transition from academic learning to professional environments. During the inauguration event, the colleges were awarded participation certificates in recognition of their commitment to supporting and implementing the internship program. Additionally, 14 multinational companies were recognized for their contributions. These companies, spanning sectors such as technology, consulting, and engineering, offered students valuable learning experiences through internships that allowed them to apply their academic knowledge to solve real-world challenges. By partnering with EduSkills and AICTE, these companies played a vital role in nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals. The internships will cover a wide array of sectors, including information technology, engineering, management, healthcare, and education, among others. Through these internships, students will not only gain valuable work experience but will also develop a professional network and learn essential soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. The initiative is especially significant in a country like India, where the job market is highly competitive. For fresh graduates, the lack of experience is often a barrier to employment.
The success of the EduSkills-AICTE internship program marks a significant stride in addressing the challenges faced by India’s technical graduates in securing meaningful employment. By providing students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in real-world settings, the initiative has helped bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands. EduSkills Foundation, with its focus on skill development and employability, has been at the forefront of creating industry-oriented programs that prepare students for the challenges of the global workforce. In partnership with AICTE, the organization continues to work towards empowering students with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market. This record-breaking internship initiative is not only a moment of pride for EduSkills and AICTE but also a significant contribution to India’s journey towards becoming a global hub for skill development and innovation. As the country seeks to build a skilled workforce to drive its economic growth, this program stands as a shining example of the power of collaboration between government, academia, and industry.
