Mumbai: November 14, 2024: In a significant move to bolster employment opportunities and skill development in India, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TeamLease EdTech to create new career pathways for university learners. The MoU was formalised in New Delhi today in the presence of Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Smt. Sushri Shobha Karandlaje. Representing TeamLease EdTech at the signing was Shri. Jaideep Kewalramani, COO and Head of Employability Business.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya stated, “The National Career Service (NCS) portal is evolving into a comprehensive platform for accessing employment opportunities across various sectors. Our collaboration with TeamLease EdTech introduces work-linked degree programs that integrate academic learning with practical hands-on experience; this shall go a long way in enhancing the employability of our youth and aligning education.”

Smt. Sushri Karandlaje added, “By incorporating work-linked programs into the NCS portal, we are creating pathways for students to gain in-demand skills through degree programs that include internships. This initiative not only addresses the skills gap but also helps prepare a workforce that meets the needs of today’s industries.”

With over two decades of pioneering workforce solutions, TeamLease EdTech has built a robust ecosystem that supports the employability journey of millions across India. Known for providing jobs to crores of youth, the TeamLease Group has become a leader in connecting education to employment. This legacy is underscored by TeamLease EdTech’s extensive partnerships with over 65 government and private universities, empowering the youth with critical, industry-aligned skills. Through this collaboration, TeamLease EdTech will bring around 200 work-linked degree programs on the NCS portal, each with embedded internships that provide over 500,000 hands-on learning opportunities. Leveraging its digital platform, Digivarsity (www.digivarsity.com), TeamLease EdTech will make live internship opportunities accessible to students nationwide through the NCS platform , creating pathways that bridge skill gaps and prepare a job-ready workforce aligned with India’s evolving job market.

This collaboration will enable the NCS portal to offer TeamLease EdTech’s work-linked programs(In line with NEP 2020 and UGC’s guidelines to promote apprenticeship/internship embedded degree programs ) , designed to combine academic coursework with internships, providing students with hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills. The partnership aims to create over 500,000 job-ready individuals within the next year by equipping them with skills that are critical across sectors. Leveraging TeamLease Edtech’s extensive experience in youth education and employment, this partnership aims to reach a diverse and expansive audience through structured, scalable programs. TeamLease EdTech shall also set up Digivarsity Career Lounges in the NCS Model Career Centers; these lounges shall provide counseling assistance to the walk-in students.

Shri. Kewalramani affirmed the strategic importance of the partnership, stating, “At TeamLease EdTech, we are committed to bridging the gap between education and employability. Our work-linked degree programs are designed to provide students with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in today’s competitive job market. By collaborating with the Ministry of Labour & Employment and utilising the NCS portal, we can reach a broader audience and make a significant impact on employability in India.”

The NCS portal, operational since July 2015, has been instrumental in connecting job seekers with employers and providing a range of employment-related services. This partnership with TeamLease EdTech marks a strategic enhancement of the portal’s offerings, aligning educational programs with the evolving needs of the labor market and fostering a more skilled and employable workforce.