Sikkim govt partners with Infosys to boost digital skills, career opportunities

GANGTOK,: The Sikkim government has partnered with Infosys Limited to expand access to digital learning, skill development and career opportunities for youth and women in the State.

The State Skill Development department, through the Directorate of Craftsmanship Training Scheme and Employment (DCTSE), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Infosys, marking the first partnership between the technology and consulting major and the Sikkim government.

Under the agreement, learners across Sikkim will get free access to Infosys Springboard, the company's digital learning and skilling platform offering courses, certifications, virtual labs, masterclasses and industry-oriented learning programmes, informs a press release.

The initiative will benefit youth, women, students, trainees, educators and jobseekers by providing learning opportunities in emerging technologies, digital and soft skills, vocational training, project management, entrepreneurship and employability.

The collaboration will also provide access to the Infosys Springboard Job Marketplace, enabling learners to explore employment opportunities, internships, career guidance and industry networks, officials said.

A key component of the partnership is the introduction of women-centric learning pathways for adolescent girls and women, focusing on digital technologies, professional development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career readiness.

The MoU also provides for instructor-led virtual and hybrid training programmes, curriculum enhancement with industry inputs, faculty development and leadership programmes, internships, digital literacy campaigns, webinars and outreach activities.

The initiative is aligned with Sikkim INSPIRES, the State government's flagship programme supported by the World Bank, aimed at improving economic opportunities and livelihoods for women and youth through market-oriented skilling and employment interventions.

Officials said the partnership would combine the government's institutional reach with Infosys' expertise in technology-enabled learning to help build a digitally skilled and industry-ready workforce in the state.

The MoU was signed by special secretary-cum-director, DCTSE, Skill Development department, and Santosh Ananthapura, AVP – head and chief for Government Partnerships, Infosys Limited, in the presence of the Skill Development secretary.