Facebook to train half a million Indians on Digital Skills by 2020

New Delhi : Facebook Digital Training and Facebook Startup Training Hubs have been launched for personalized online learning to help small businesses and people in India grow by giving them the digital skills they need to compete in today’s digital economy.

According to a statement issued by Facebook, these online training hubs are said to be aiming to train more than half a million people in India by 2020. They are being rolled out first in India and have been developed with local organizations, such as Digital Vidya, EDII, DharmaLife and StartupIndia, to develop the learning curriculum. Facebook said that they will provide digital skills and training for people in need of work, advise entrepreneurs how to get started and help existing businesses and non-profits get the most out of the internet.

The curriculum is personalized to the individual’s needs and available in English and Hindi on mobile. It is said to include vital skills for digital skill seekers and tech entrepreneurs, including how to protect your ideas, how to hire, how to go about getting funding, what regulations and legal hurdles you need to consider, how to build an online reputation, and a whole host of other critical skills required to succeed in today’s digital world.

This could mean teaching a small business owner how to create an online presence; helping a non-profit reach new communities and potential donors; or it could mean helping a tech entrepreneur turn their product idea into a startup through practical business advice.

The Facebook Digital Training Hub is believed to provide free social and content marketing training (not just Facebook) for anyone – from students to business owners – who is looking to develop their digital knowledge and skills. The curriculum includes social media basics, how to build and create an audience, how to create content, how to measure online activity, and stay ahead of the curve.

Facebook Startup Training Hub, on the other hand, will help developers and tech startups build better products and businesses. The curriculum covers how to build a business plan, how to build a product and how to grow a business. This includes vital aspects of setting up a company – idea protection, regulations, business planning, market research, hiring, funding, company expansion.

Ritesh Mehta, Head of Programs, Facebook, India & South Asia, said in a statement, “We want more people to be have the opportunity to build their skills, build a business or build something for their community — because investing in people can lead to incredible things.” Deepak Bagla, Managing Director & CEO Invest India, added, “A great idea is just a beginning, success will only be achieved if we support entrepreneurs to build the business skills they need to secure sustainable business growth. Startup India Hub is proud to partner with Facebook and build a program that will provide business skills development to ensure the success of our newest entrepreneurs, our future will be brighter when we work together.”

Kapil Nakra, Co-founder of Digital Vidya, in a statement said, “Acquiring digital marketing skills not only create employment opportunities but it also helps professionals to improve their performance in their existing job profiles including Sales, Marketing, HR, and Product Development. We believe Digital Marketing Skills can contribute significantly to the rapid growth and transformation of India’s economy. By working with Facebook, we are committed to developing programmes that will support everyone who wants to leverage digital marketing for their professional growth. These programmes will help everyone to grow and thrive in today’s digital world.”

Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.