Generation India Foundation Co-Hosts Charcha-2023 to Address Challenges in Skilling Landscape

Generation India Foundation, a leading non-profit organization committed to empowering and preparing youth for a promising future, recently co-hosted Charcha ’23, a G20|Startup 20 event. This remarkable gathering took place at ISB, Hyderabad. The event brought together stakeholders from the government, civil society, and the industry, fostering collaboration and dialogue.

The focal point of this collaboration were the themes of “Employment & Retention” and “Women in the Workforce – Breaking Barriers, Inspiring Change.” The event was enriched by two illuminating panel discussions held independently. Distinguished minds from across the nation converged to delve into these two critical aspects of the skilling landscape.

The initial discussion delved into the intricacies of Project AMBER, a joint initiative between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Generation India Foundation (GIF) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Project AMBER is a skilling initiative under Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) programme. This panel discussion explored the initiative’s strategies for implementation, lessons learned, and its potential to reshape the employment landscape for the youth.

Rajat Gupta, Senior Partner and Leader of McKinsey’s Sustainability Practice in Asia, set the tone for the event with his keynote address. His words underscored the importance of sustainability and collaboration in driving positive change across various sectors.

Moderated adeptly by Arunesh Singh, CEO of Generation India Foundation, the discussion navigated the nuances and possibilities offered by Project AMBER for the future. This panel saw participation from Shrikant Sinha, Chief Executive Officer at Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK); Tejas R. Vashi, Global Leader, AWS re/Start; Kalpana Morparia, Independent Director; Mohan Subrahmanya, Country Leader – India, Insight. They illuminated the significance of Employment and Retention, offering insights into the gap between skillsets possessed by the youth and the evolving demands of the job market.

Arunesh Singh shared his enthusiasm, stating, “charcha ’23 provided an incredible platform to address pressing challenges in the skilling landscape. The event has played a significant role in advancing dialogues on employment, skill development, and gender parity.”

The second panel which was on “Women in the Workforce – Breaking Barriers, Inspiring Change,” brought forth an urgent discourse on gender diversity and empowerment in professional spheres. This discussion included Ghazal Alagh, Co-Founder, MamaEarth; Kanta Singh, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India; Kalpana Morparia, Independent Director; and Rani Burchmore, Regional Leader – AWS re/Start Program, APJC.

This panel highlighted the challenges faced by women in professional domains and discussed the strategies to foster positive change. The importance of diversity in the tech industry, the role of mentorship, support networks, and education in empowering women were focal points. The session was moderated by Shriya Seth, Director, Centre for Social Impact, McKinsey & Company, Inc.

The impact of these panel discussions was undeniable, leaving a profound impression on both the participants and the audience. As a co-host of this event, Generation India Foundation played its role in advancing the crucial dialogue on employment & retention in skilling and gender parity in work, while paving the path toward a future-ready skilling ecosystem.