Project AMBER, a joint initiative of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Generation India Foundation under Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) – a World Bank funded MSDE programme on August 3 released its Report “Empowering Lives Embracing Collaboration” highlighting the project’s advancements in skills training and job placements, offering insights and best practices to guide future skills development initiatives in India.
- Project AMBER achieved a 73% reported placement rate within three months of graduation.
- 51% of the nearly 26,000 trainees were women.
- Based on a short-term outcomes evaluation conducted by a third party agency, 85% of graduates found jobs directly related to their training, earning 14-38% higher wages than their peers.
- The project enhanced capacity of 20+ Training Partners and integrated multiple technology tools across the training value chain.
Supported by leading CSR entities in India, including JPMorganChase, Project AMBER is a unique public-private partnership in which the public and private sector have collaborated to create a sustainable model for future skilling programs, benefiting both trainees and the broader economy.
Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, while unveiling the report, emphasized the crucial role of skill development in economic growth, stating, “The AMBER project, launched to address supply-demand imbalances and equip the workforce with essential skills for a rapidly changing job market, exemplifies public-private collaboration. By focusing on all aspects of the skilling lifecycle and using innovative methods and targeted interventions, it has provided valuable insights for improving short-term training programs. Moving forward, we aim to scale efforts, enhance inclusivity, leverage technology, and strengthen partnerships to boost skill development and employment outcomes in India.”
The report highlights how Project AMBER has empowered individuals to succeed in a dynamic job market.
The report also discusses the project’s potential for scalability and replication across various regions and sectors. These insights can help refine strategies to meet the evolving needs of skills development.
Arunesh Singh, CEO of Generation India Foundation, commented, “The AMBER report highlights the project’s remarkable effectiveness. Using the holistic Generation 7-step Methodology, we aim to further refine skilling processes and outcomes, setting new standards for effectiveness and scalability in the industry.”