NetApp & Nasscom Foundation launch AI skills drive in India
NetApp has announced a multi-year partnership with Nasscom Foundation to deliver an Artificial Intelligence and Data Science skilling programme targeted at underserved communities in India.
The partnership aims to address the evolving talent requirements of the digital economy, supporting India's ambition to become a global centre for AI expertise. The initiative will train engineering graduates from resource-constrained backgrounds in Karnataka and Delhi, focusing on technical and workplace readiness skills required in the technology sector.
Programmeme details
Participants in the initiative will receive 120 hours of instruction covering Python programming, data analytics, machine learning, and deep learning. The programme also includes sessions curated by NetApp on topics such as Kubernetes, persistent storage, and AI infrastructure, to ensure relevance to current industry practices.
In addition to technical content, participants will benefit from 60 hours of soft skills training designed to enhance communication, teamwork, and provide career guidance. Industry-recognised certifications and dedicated job placement support will also be provided. The programme aims to place approximately 70 percent of the graduating cohort into technology roles upon completion.
Industry collaboration
The partnership was introduced by George Kurian, Chief Executive Officer, NetApp, and Rostow Ravanan, Chairperson, Nasscom Foundation. According to NetApp, the collaboration represents a step towards strengthening the pipeline of qualified AI talent in India and supporting greater workforce inclusivity.
"Our partnership with Nasscom Foundation reflects our shared vision of building a future-ready workforce. We are meeting the evolving needs of the digital economy by co-creating industry-relevant curricula. This helps not only in nurturing AI talent at scale but also strengthening Nasscom Foundation's skilling ecosystem," said Vasanthi Ramesh, Vice President of Engineering and Site Leader, NetApp India.
The initiative has a particular focus on supporting women from underserved communities, aiming to help them acquire digital and data capabilities to succeed in the technology sector.
"The growing demand for AI and Data Science professionals is reshaping the future of work," said Mr. Rostow Ravanan, Chairperson, Nasscom Foundation. "To meet this transformation head-on, it is vital to bridge the opportunity gap by ensuring equitable access to continuous, industry-aligned skilling. Our collaboration with NetApp reflects this vision where we are empowering youth, especially women from underserved communities, with the digital, AI, and data capabilities needed to thrive in an inclusive and future-ready economy."
Broader ambitions
The skilling programme is intended to contribute to India's goal of becoming a hub for ethical and job-ready AI professionals. By combining technical training with real-world industry exposure, the organisers aim to produce graduates equipped for meaningful careers and to promote greater inclusion in the digital workforce.
The programme underscores the significance of building both technical and professional competencies, with the expectation that graduates will be better positioned for roles within India's expanding technology sector.
