NIIT and Microsoft to team up over “Women in Tech” Initiative

NIIT will partner with Microsoft India on its significant “Women in Tech” initiative that has been designed to provide, attract and retain women talent in the IT industry. As the Primary Learning Partner, NIIT will utilize its nationwide network to train and certify girl students and women in the latest Microsoft technologies, through Technology Skill enhancer courses. This will enable young girls and women in the country to find suitable careers in IT and accelerate their growth in the fast-evolving IT industry. The initiative will target girl school students, young women students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) colleges, women IT professionals and women entrepreneurs.

Microsoft has recently announced its plans to train and mentor one million women students, women IT professionals and women entrepreneurs in the next 12 months. Accordingly, the Women in Tech initiative will impart technical skills, provide mentorship and further encourage women to join, grow and succeed in the Indian technology industry.

Bhaskar Pramanik, Chairman, Microsoft India, said, “Through the Women in Tech initiative, we aim to double the number of women in India’s IT industry over the next few years. We believe that women will play a pivotal role in enabling a technology-powered economy. We are excited to partner with a proven leader like NIIT to make this program a reality and help us build a strong, successful women workforce in India.”

Keeping in mind the unique requirements of student audiences, NIIT will provide specialized consultation sessions and additional test preparation modules for aspirants to successfully validate their skills and acquire globally recognized professional certifications.

Vijay Thadani, Chief Executive Officer, NIIT Limited, said, “NIIT and Microsoft have been strategic partners for over two decades now, with the unified purpose of developing contemporary talent pool for the global IT industry. The IT services industry in India is already at the forefront in terms of employing women. It gives us great pleasure to join hands with Microsoft to further open and accelerate challenging career avenues for Women in Tech.”

As an invitational offer, special scholarships will be offered to women for a range of programs till 31st December, 2014. Additionally, to give this initiative a boost, NIIT will organize about 25 Job Fairs in the top 10 cities exclusively for women aspirants during the next 12 months. Associated career counselling and mentoring will also be provided. Furthermore, NIIT will be hiring experts who would become lead trainers for the Women in Tech initiative.