Nasscom Foundation, in a significant stride towards fostering inclusive growth and bridging India's critical skills gap, has officially launched the second edition of its collaborative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, "Ascend: Skilling Youth in Emerging Technologies." This impactful initiative brings together a cohort of nine small and medium-sized tech enterprises (SMEs) to collectively support digital skilling and enhance employability for marginalized youth across the country.

The project builds upon the success of its inaugural edition, aiming to train 150 young individuals across Delhi-NCR, Trivandrum, and Pune in high-demand technological domains. Participants will receive comprehensive training in fields such as Data Analytics and Java Full Stack development. Crucially, the program extends beyond technical expertise, incorporating essential soft skills development and robust career readiness support to ensure holistic preparation for the professional world.

Jyoti Sharma, CEO of Nasscom Foundation, emphasized the core philosophy driving this initiative. "Enabling TechForGood lies at the heart of everything we do at Nasscom Foundation," she stated. "This initiative powerfully exemplifies how collaboration can drive meaningful social impact, making technology-led skilling accessible to marginalized youth. By bringing together nine visionary tech SMEs in this cohort, we are not only equipping young minds with future-ready skills but also empowering businesses to embrace inclusive and responsible growth. Together, we are creating a scalable model that transforms lives, fosters equity, and ensures that technology becomes a force for sustainable progress."

The initiative addresses a common challenge faced by many SMEs in executing impactful CSR: limited budgets, complex regulations, and a lack of awareness regarding effective CSR frameworks. By providing a shared CSR platform, Nasscom Foundation enables these SMEs to pool their resources, significantly reduce operational burdens, and maximize their collective social impact. This collaborative model fosters a strong sense of community and shared purpose, allowing smaller tech companies to contribute meaningfully to social development while growing responsibly.

Maulik Bhansali, CEO of NetWeb Software Pvt. Ltd. and Chair of the Nasscom SME Council, highlighted the power of collective action. "The success of last year's initiative clearly showed the power of collective action among SMEs to drive social change," he commented. "We are excited to once again partner with Nasscom Foundation to take this vision forward. This collaboration not only enables us to contribute to nation-building through skilling but also reflects the SME Council's commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for youth, especially young women from marginalized communities." A key focus of the program is indeed gender equity, with a target of 60% women beneficiaries.

The training will adopt a hybrid model, combining 80% physical classroom instruction with 20% virtual learning, delivered through experienced SME training partners. To further enhance practical exposure and job readiness, the initiative will include mentorship from industry professionals, project-based learning, and engagement opportunities with corporate partners. Selected trained and certified students will also be offered placement opportunities within relevant sectors, aiming to bridge the critical gap between skilling and actual employment.

This collaborative effort by Nasscom Foundation and its SME partners serves as a strong testament to the transformative potential of technology when combined with a commitment to social good. It reaffirms the foundation's dedication to inclusive digital transformation and expanding access to opportunities for those who need it most.