The recently-released Project AMBER report, aptly titled ‘Empowering Lives Embracing Collaboration’ reveals that AMBER, short for Accelerated Mission for Better Employment and Retention, has managed to achieve high placement outcomes for 26,000 youth across 23 states. An encouraging 51 per cent of these are women!
Project AMBER is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Generation India Foundation under Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) — a World Bank funded MSDE programme. This public-private partnership is supported by leading corporate social responsibility (CSR) entities in India, including JPMorganChase. This unique public- and private-sector collaboration is aimed at creating a sustainable model for future skilling programmes, benefiting both trainees and the broader economy.
The report, released at the AMBER Summit, by Atul Kumar Tiwari, secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, highlights the project’s advancements in skills training and job placements, offering insights and best practices to guide future skills-development initiatives in the country.
Tiwari talked about how the AMBER project was “launched to address supply-demand imbalances and equip the workforce with essential skills for a rapidly-changing job market” and how it “has provided valuable insights for improving short-term training programme” by “focusing on all aspects of the skilling lifecycle and using innovative methods and targeted interventions.” According to Tiwari, “Moving forward, we aim to scale efforts, enhance inclusivity, leverage technology and strengthen partnerships to boost skill development and employment outcomes in India.”
Project AMBER achieved a 73 per cent placement rate within three months of graduation. Based on a short-term outcomes evaluation conducted by a third party agency, 85 per cent of graduates found jobs directly related to their training, earning 14-38 per cent higher wages than their peers.
The project enhanced capacity of over 20 training partners and integrated multiple technology tools across the training value chain.
Project AMBER has managed to successfully change the trainees’ perspective on life, the future and struggle. It has helped them broaden their outlook and reshape their careers by giving them opportunities to meet people from diverse backgrounds.
The project has the 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, Generation India Foundation, shares how “using the holistic Generation 7-step Methodology”, the programme aims to “further refine skilling processes and outcomes, setting new standards for effectiveness and scalability in the industry.”
At the AMBER Summit 2024, government and private-sector stakeholders discussed how skills programmes can drive transformative change. Kaustubh Kulkarni, senior country officer, India and vice chair Asia Pacific, JPMorgan Chase, emphasised, “At JPMorganChase, we are committed to advancing a more inclusive and equitable economy in India. Our philanthropic programmes align with the national priority of skilling youth, ensuring that India can fully leverage its demographic advantage in the coming years.”
With a proven track record, Project AMBER is set to influence policy and programmatic changes, driving sustainable improvements in youth employment and skill acquisition. This initiative marks a significant step forward in bridging the skills gap and fostering a more skilled and well-equipped future workforce.
