How Genpact plans to onboard and train 5,000 apprentices

In today’s competitive job market, recent graduates often face a daunting roadblock: a lack of experience that hinders their ability to secure their first professional role. Recognising this challenge, Genpact, a global professional services firm, is taking a bold step forward with its apprenticeship programme. This year, they plan to onboard a staggering 5,000 apprentices, equipping them with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the corporate world. But how will Genpact train such a large cohort and ensure their success?

Genpact’s commitment extends beyond simply filling open positions. The programme, meticulously designed for a 12-month duration, focuses on building a well-rounded skillset. While technical training is crucial, the programme emphasises core pillars such as communication, leadership, and time management, as shared with HRKatha by Ritu Bhatia, global hiring leader & SVP-HR, Genpact. “Our programme isn’t just about temporary skills for specific jobs; it’s about instilling life lessons valuable for long-term professional growth,” she explains. This focus on soft skills ensures graduates are not just job-ready, but career-ready.

To effectively train such a large number of apprentices, Genpact has designed a programme that balances flexibility with personalised support. Apprentices can progress through self-paced modules, allowing them to focus on areas needing extra attention. This ensures each individual receives the foundation they need to excel. The programme is further bolstered by interactive virtual sessions where apprentices learn from peers and mentors. These sessions provide real-time feedback, foster collaboration, and allow for in-depth discussions on key concepts.

“Our programme isn’t just about temporary skills for specific jobs; it’s about instilling life lessons valuable for long-term professional growth. This focus on soft skills ensures graduates are not just job-ready, but career-ready.

Ritu Bhatia, global hiring leader & SVP-HR, Genpact

Scaling a programme often presents challenges in tracking individual progress. However, Genpact utilises a sophisticated Power BI dashboard. This automated system provides real-time insights into apprentice progress for trainers, HR, and supervisors. This transparency allows for targeted interventions and ensures all apprentices are on track to meet the program’s rigorous standards.

Additionally, a well-documented policy ensures adherence to the program’s core requirements, including the mandatory 110 hours of learning content and 500 hours of on-the-job training. “We are meticulous in ensuring these specified hours are meticulously followed,” confirms Bhatia.

Technology plays a crucial role not just in monitoring progress, but also in empowering continuous learning. Genpact’s internal knowledge-management portal, “Genome,” offers a vast library of resources, encompassing emerging technologies like AI and industry-specific skills. Presented in bite-sized formats, this content allows apprentices to learn on the go, even during work hours.

The programme recognises that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Apprentices have the opportunity to specialize in areas aligning with their interests and career goals. Genome serves as a valuable tool for continuous upskilling, offering content across over 80 domains and 600 granular skills. For instance, an apprentice interested in generative AI can access dedicated resources, while another noticing the company’s growth in finance can use Genome to build accounting expertise. This focus on specialisation ensures Genpact nurtures a future-ready workforce equipped with the skills needed to excel in specific fields.

“We take pride in the Genome platform, which has already facilitated 40 million learning hours for our apprentice population, enabling them to continually upskill themselves to stay relevant in the dynamic corporate landscape,” emphasises Bhatia.

Genpact’s ambitious apprenticeship programme is a testament to their commitment to bridging the skills gap and investing in the future workforce. By focusing on building well-rounded professionals, providing a scalable and supportive learning environment, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, Genpact is well-positioned to onboard a record number of apprentices and equip them with the tools needed to succeed in the ever-evolving world of work.

Sharing an example, Bhatia points out, “In my own team, I’ve witnessed, first hand, the transformative impact of Genome. Apprentices have proactively contributed ideas for process automation, drawing upon their newfound knowledge to propose innovative solutions.”

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and conversion to full-time employment, apprentices can explore internal job postings within. These postings encourage internal candidates to apply before external hires.

“Currently, we have over 90,000 employees actively learning Gen AI skills at the beginner level, with more than 60,000 having already built foundational capabilities,” reveals Bhatia. She further adds, “This iterative approach has resulted in the recruitment of nearly 18,000 apprentices since the programme’s inception, with an impressive conversion rate of approximately 90-95 per cent transitioning into full-time roles annually.”