Overview

At NSDC, we focus on facilitating initiatives that can have a multiplier effect rather than acting as direct operators in the skill development space. Our strategy involves engaging the industry in every aspect of skill development. We prioritize forming partnerships with multiple stakeholders and building on existing efforts, rather than launching numerous initiatives ourselves or duplicating ongoing efforts. To scale up our efforts and achieve our goal of skilling or up-skilling 150 million people, we aim to:

• Develop ultra-low-cost, high-quality, innovative business models.
• Attract significant private investment.
• Ensure that our funds are largely "re-circulating" through loans or equity rather than grants.
• Create leverage for ourselves.
• Build a strong corpus.

In light of this, we play three pivotal roles:

• Funding and Incentivizing: In the near term, this is a key focus. We provide financing through loans or equity, offer grants, and support financial incentives to select private sector initiatives to enhance financial viability, such as through tax breaks. The type of funding we provide (equity, loan, or grant) depends on the viability or attractiveness of the segment and, to some extent, the type of player (for-profit private, non-profit industry association, or non-profit NGO). Over time, we aim to create strong, viable business models and reduce our grant-making role.
• Enabling Support Services: A skills development institute requires various inputs or support services, such as curriculum development, faculty training standards, quality assurance, technology platforms, and student placement mechanisms. We play a significant enabling role in these support services, especially in setting up standards and accreditation systems in collaboration with industry associations.
• Shaping/Creating: In the near term, we proactively seed and drive large-scale participation by private players in skill development. We identify critical skill groups, develop models for skill development, attract potential private players, and support these efforts.

Through these roles, we strive to ensure a comprehensive approach to skill development, fostering collaboration and innovation to meet our ambitious goals.