IBM announces plan to skill 5 million people in India over the next five years

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IBM has announced a major skills initiative in India, saying it will help train 5 million learners across the country by 2030. The focus will be on areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and next-generation computing, with the aim of preparing students and working adults for future jobs. The programme will be delivered through IBM SkillsBuild, the company’s free learning platform.

IBM says the goal is to make learning more accessible and to give people the confidence and skills they need in a fast-changing job market. The initiative is designed to support both students who are still studying and adults who want to learn something new or improve their career prospects.

As part of the plan, IBM will work with schools, colleges and skill-training institutions across India. It will also collaborate with organisations such as the All India Council for Technical Education to support practical learning. This includes helping teachers, updating course material, and encouraging activities like student projects, hackathons and internships so learners can get real-world exposure.

Commenting on the announcement, IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna said, “India possesses the talent and ambition to lead the world in AI & Quantum. Fluency in frontier technologies will define economic competitiveness, scientific progress and societal transformation. Our commitment to skill five million people is an investment in that future. By democratizing access to advanced skills, we are enabling the youth and students to build, innovate and accelerate India’s growth.”

IBM is also paying special attention to school education. The company is helping develop learning material for senior secondary students and is providing teaching resources such as project guides, handbooks and simple explainer modules. These are meant to help students develop problem-solving skills early on, while also making it easier for teachers to introduce new topics in the classroom.

At the centre of this effort is IBM SkillsBuild, which brings together learning content in one place. The platform offers more than 1,000 free courses covering digital skills, workplace readiness and other areas linked to modern jobs. It is already used by over 16 million learners around the world.

The India initiative is part of IBM’s wider global goal to train 30 million people by 2030. With a large young population and growing interest in digital skills, India is expected to play a key role in that plan. For many learners, this programme could be a step towards better job opportunities and a more secure future.