- Microsoft is expanding its partnership with the Directorate General of Training under MSDE to deliver AI skilling programs for 200,000 students in vocational education across India.
- Workforce Augmentation with AI Skills in Vocational Education (WAVE) will offer a 1200-hour AI Programming Assistant micro degree at all NSTIs, as well as a 240-hour micro degree available at ITIs nationwide, with credentials, certifications and job opportunities.
- WAVE will also provide a 45-hour trade-specific AI curriculum for eight high-demand ITI trades, reaching 150,000 learners, and deliver 30-hour AI training to 2,500 educators in Government ITIs and NSTIs across India.
India, 27th January 2026, The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) through the Directorate General of Training (DGT) and Microsoft announced a significant expansion of their partnership in Vocational Education, to provide institutionalized AI curriculum, credentials, certification and economic opportunities for 200,000 students, under the brand Microsoft Elevate WAVE (Workforce Augmentation with AI Skills in Vocational Education).
Advance Micro degrees and industry specific AI curriculum would be offered in more than 1000 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 33 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), through the partners Edunet Foundation and Tata Strive, connecting students in vocational education with 30,000 job opportunities in growing industries.
This is a part of Microsoft building AI-Ready workforce in India by doubling the commitment of January 2025 to equip 20 million Indians with essential AI skills by 2030, working with government, industry, and digital public platforms to ensure equitable access to opportunity.
Speaking on the partnership, Swati Sethi, Director, Directorate General of Training (DGT), said, “This partnership is a crucial step in modernizing our vocational training system. By embedding these industry-aligned AI Micro Degrees and sector specific Artificial Intelligence curricula into our ITI and NSTI framework, we are preparing our students to be frontline contributors to India’s technological growth. It’s about making our youth ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
Transforming India’s Vocational Education to build AI-Ready Workforce:
Microsoft Elevate WAVE would make available four applied AI skilling programs for the students and educators in government vocational education institutions, designed in consultation with the government and industry leaders. The key offerings under this initiative include,
- AI Programming Assistant (AIPA) Micro Degree is a comprehensive 1200-hour degree for 12 months, accredited by DGT for rollout in all the NSTIs to provide hands-on AI training with Microsoft credential, certification and real-world project experience, helping students transition from vocational education to AI-focused professions and specialized technical roles.
- Skill Saksham Micro Degree: This partnership would standardize a 240-hour micro degree for IT/ITES students nationwide, integrating it into vocational education. The program equips ITI graduates with practical AI skills and job-ready expertise for an AI-driven workplace.
- Educators Skilling would provide 30 hours of AI productivity and application skills for 2,500 educators in Government ITIs and NSTIs, enhancing their capacity to deliver AI skills and transform the learning environment.
- Industry Specific AI Skilling would integrate a 45-hour, trade-specific AI curriculum for eight high-demand ITI trades (including Electrician, Mechanic Diesel, Electronics Mechanic, and Fashion Design / Technology) and deliver in person training for 15,000 students in 250 Government ITIs and online training for more than 150,000 students.
Antony Cook, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, officially launched the Microsoft Elevate WAVE initiative in Mumbai. In his remarks, he emphasized, “Microsoft is committed to fostering inclusive economic growth. Through Microsoft Elevate, we aim to empower every learner and educator with relevant AI skills. Launching Microsoft Elevate WAVE with the Directorate General of Training will build a strong foundation for India’s AI-ready workforce.”
Industry Collaboration Framework:
Corporate partners in IT/ITES, Manufacturing, Electronics, Automobiles and Fashion would play a central role in defining the outcomes of this initiative, equipping the institutions with industry relevant AI labs, co-designing content, providing mentorship, facilitating internships and placements for graduates. Edunet Foundation and Tata Strive would lead this initiative, with large-scale training rollout, educator capacity building, and industry-academia linkages, enabling experiential learning and career pathways for all the stakeholders in vocational education.
“Microsoft Elevate WAVE would turn traditional trades into innovation engines,” says Ameya Vanjari, COO, Tata STRIVE. He added “By embedding AI into the core curriculum of ITIs, we are not just skilling youth; we are unlocking their potential to drive innovation and resilience across industries, ensuring they are competitive in the global digital economy.”
Nagesh Singh, Chairman, Edunet Foundation, added, “We are working to ensure that this program delivers tangible results and links our learners with relevant job opportunities. By training educators and integrating hands-on projects with industry mentorship, we are creating a clear pathway for vocational students to build rewarding careers in the AI-augmented economy.”
Microsoft Elevate WAVE would play a significant role in demonstrating how AI is transforming skilling in India and in partnership with DGT, Edunet Foundation and Tata Strive will go beyond learning and create real economic impact, enabling jobs or entrepreneurial opportunities, building AI ready workforce.
