With the speeding up of technology and restructuring of industries, the workforce in India is challenged and also offered an opportunity. With the emergence of AI, digital technologies, and new forms of entrepreneurship, the need for swift upskilling is justified to make sure that the youth in India are not only prepared to face the future but are also progressive in bringing about change.
At the Wadhwani Foundation, the mission is clear: to create a workforce that is future-ready and can keep up with the changing job market, but also can make new opportunities available to grow the economy. The Foundation is enabling people to gain skills to succeed in the current and upcoming industries through programs such as Wadhwani Skilling and Wadhwani Ignite.
Below are some of the key initiatives and partnerships that are helping shape India’s future workforce.
Wadhwani Skilling – Youth Empowerment with AI-Powered Tools
As technology continues to have an increasingly critical role in workforce preparedness, Wadhwani Skilling has been among the pioneers to develop AI-driven solutions that allow India to keep up with the pace.
The Skilling team of the Foundation presented the ways AI technologies such as My Career Advisor and My Interview Coach, are changing the levels in career preparation at the 16th FICCI Global Skills Summit. These AI-based solutions are available all over the country so that young people have an opportunity to learn vital employability skills directly on the mobile platform.
And it has been one of the most impactful launches this year. My Career Advisor, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and NCERT, offers personalised career guidance, enabling students to explore over 1,500 career options and chart their path forward in a rapidly evolving job market.
Wadhwani Ignite – Cultivating India’s Entrepreneurial Potential
The Wadhwani Ignite program is based on a radical vision: enabling young Indians to be not just job seekers but entrepreneurs. This AI-enabled platform is provided under SWAYAM Plus, which provides a built-in curriculum that combines the world-renowned startup models with the rich entrepreneurial ecosystem of India.
By focusing on real-world challenges, Wadhwani Ignite is preparing the next generation to launch and scale businesses, with tools to test ideas, develop business models, and engage with industry mentors.
This year, Wadhwani Entrepreneurship reached new milestones in Gujarat, with programs like Ignite, Liftoff and Accelerate engaging over 5,000 students and 150+ ventures.
“Entrepreneurship shouldn’t be a privilege—it should be a path to prosperity, for anyone, anywhere.“
– Meetul Patel, President, Wadhwani Foundation
Meetul Patel, President of Wadhwani Foundation, unveiled the vision for a national AI-powered growth accelerator designed to provide entrepreneurs in smaller cities with personalised, real-time support at zero cost. Already active in Gujarat, this initiative aims to democratise entrepreneurship, enabling local ventures to access mentorship, funding opportunities, and resources to scale.
AI and the Future of Work: Thought Leadership Engagements
Dr. Ajay Kela, CEO & Board Member of the Wadhwani Foundation, continues to drive the conversation around AI’s transformative potential. He shared his insights in an exclusive interview with Mint, where he highlighted how AI is set to redefine India’s approach to learning, working, and building businesses. Dr. Kela stressed the importance of India seizing this moment on its path to becoming a Viksit Bharat, using AI to accelerate economic growth and workforce readiness.
Dr. Kela attended the Quantum India Bengaluru Summit 2025, where he was on a panel about the role of India in quantum technology. This was an opportunity to debate how new technologies, such as AI and quantum, are transforming industries and why reskilling at scale is necessary to keep up.
This vision was further enhanced by his involvement at the Delhi University, where he influenced students and faculty to adopt AI and innovation as the primary growth engines towards inclusive development. He emphasises the goal of developing a workforce of the future where the use of technology will enable young people to spearhead the digital revolution in India.
The Role of Collaboration in Scaling Skilling and Entrepreneurship
The skilling and entrepreneurship programs of the Foundation revolve around partnerships. It can be bringing digital tools and mentorship to the workforce in India or partnering with the Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education and Development (DTNBWED) to provide industry-specific training.
These partnerships serve to magnify the effect of the Foundation’s programs. Thousands of students have been affected by the AI-based employability programs developed by the Foundation and integrated into a range of university curricula. Such programs, in collaboration with local universities and government agencies, ensure that youths are trained to adapt to the rapidly changing digital economy in India.
A vision of a Skilled and Entrepreneurial India
There is a fundamental belief at the Foundation: opportunity is unlocked by skills. For this, it is equipping young Indians with the means of success by merging the latest technology with practical training and mentorship. This vision is particularly vital for underserved communities, where quality education and skill development programs may be scarce.
As AI, digital tools, and entrepreneurship shape the future of work, initiatives like Wadhwani Skilling and Wadhwani Ignite are at the forefront of preparing India’s youth for the opportunities ahead. With strategic partnerships, innovative platforms, and thought leadership, the Foundation is leading the charge in creating a workforce that is not only ready for the jobs of tomorrow but is actively creating them. Through these efforts, Wadhwani Foundation is paving the way for an inclusive, sustainable, and technology-powered future for India’s workforce.
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