Tech giant IBM has announced that it would train two lakh women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills across India. The company claims that every collaboration between IBM and different state governments in India comes as a part of a three-year programme to enhance the participation of women in STEM careers.
IBM this week inked agreements with the state governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana and plans to expand this programme to other states in the coming months.
The rapid use of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and cloud computing has lead to a surging demand for proficient workforce across India. IBM has said that this move comes as a part of its global initiative to bridge the STEM skills gap and gear up the workforce globally for “new collar careers.”
The other initiatives of the company include a two-year Advanced Diploma Programme in emerging technologies framed in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
The programme will be available to 100 Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), including 50 all-women ITIs for the next three years.
“We know that AI, like other transformative technologies before it, will have a profound impact on jobs and the workplace. We need to work together to equip the workforce with a new generation of skills, so the benefits of AI and technology can be experienced by the many, not just a few. Partnering with the Indian government, we are investing in the empowerment of millions of young women and their teachers with training in STEM skills, so that India’s growing economy has the right resources and more women in the workforce,” said Ginni Rometty, IBM chairman, president and CEO.
