Transforming lives through technology

Through the Digital Academy program, Capgemini aims to empower underprivileged youth by equipping them with skills and preparing them for employment opportunities.

India’s Digital Divide

A skilled and knowledgeable workforce is crucial for driving economic growth and development in any nation. However, only a fraction of India’s working population has received effective skill training, which is significantly lower compared to other countries. This is even though over two-thirds of India’s population has reached working age. India faces a significant digital divide and skill gap, hindering economic growth.

According to a report, only 2.3 % of the working population in India has undergone effective skillset training as compared to significantly higher numbers in the rest of the world.

In the 21st century, human interaction with digital media has surged, making access to digital spaces crucial for staying informed on global economic, political, and social issues. However, not everyone is aware of or has access to these digital resources. In India, the digital divide is stark, with one part of society driving technological innovation while another remains disconnected. This divide is further exacerbated by societal biases related to caste, religion, gender, wealth, and education.

Breaking the Cycle of Exclusion Through Digital Academy

Capgemini’s Digital Academy aims to address these issues through digital skilling programs. Capgemini’s CSR strategy is centered on the belief that skill is the key driver of development at both the community and national levels. The strategy prioritizes access, inclusion, and quality in its interventions, ensuring that marginalized youth can participate in the digital transformation and fully engage in the learning process. By providing training to underprivileged youth, especially women and persons with disabilities, the program seeks to bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for socio-economic inclusion. Capgemini’s collaboration with NGOs, corporates, and government agencies enhances the program’s impact and facilitates job placement for skilled individuals.

Capgemini Digital Academy Program works on bridging skill-gap and digital divide for those socio- economically excluded youths who are not able to access developmental opportunities. With this program, Capgemini is trying to make a significant stride towards lifting people out of poverty.

Capgemini has established 55+ Digital Academies in 13+ cities. To reach the most remote areas, the program provides blended learning modules, ensuring that even the youth in the farthest corners of the country can access high-quality training. Furthermore, Capgemini is working to create information symmetry by offering online career counseling and guidance, helping young people make informed career choices. Through these initiatives, Capgemini is playing a crucial role in enhancing the skilling ecosystem in India, ensuring that more youth are equipped with the skills needed for the future.

Focus on Access and Inclusion

The programme has been targeting youths in the 18-35 years age group, who are mainly from marginalized communities — the most underexplored talent-pool in the country. These youngsters are often constrained by low income, inadequate skills, irregular employment, absence of opportunities for training and development, family debt and very little bargaining power at an economic or social level. To help them gain a foothold in the competitive job market, Digital Academies equip them with the necessary technical and soft skills, delivered in an environment conducive to the learners’ needs. Capgemini’s Digital Academy program has positively impacted thousands of beneficiaries till date. Some of them have even been hired by Capgemini across India, many of them being women.