ICICI Academy aims to address identified skill gaps in urban India and provides sustainable employment opportunities to underprivileged youth. With a comprehensive approach that provides employment support for all successful trainees, the centres are well equipped with state-of-the-art practical labs to support and enhance learning. It provides industry-relevant, job-oriented training on a pro-bono basis in 10 technical and three non-technical skills. Skill training also includes modules on financial literacy, life skills and soft skills.

During fiscal 2021, ICICI Academy trained close to 14,200 less privileged youth across the country and helped them find suitable jobs. Since inception till March 31, 2021, ICICI Academy has skilled close to 160,000 individuals; 43% of them being women.

In the backdrop of the pandemic, ICICI Academy undertook comprehensive and innovative measures to ensure continuity of its skill development programme. ICICI Academy developed a phygital learning methodology, a combination of digital and hands-on training, as a new model of skilling. The Academy digitised skill development programmes, conducted online sessions and tapped knowledge partners and alumni to provide practical training in the vicinity of the participants’ homes. It digitised nine technical and two non-technical courses which were accredited by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). ICICI Academy also held online job fairs to facilitate placement.

It is a matter of satisfaction that during these challenging times, the Academy offered placement assistance through its network of industry partners to trainees who opted for a job. It also offered placement assistance to alumni who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

The operating model of ICICI Academy encompasses the following features that are instrumental for the success of its trainees:

Impact Assessment Study

In fiscal 2021, an impact assessment was undertaken for the skill development programme carried out by ICICI Academy for Skills. It was conducted by a reputed external agency for activities in fiscal 2020. The impact of the programme was analysed in four key areas: inclusiveness, relevance, impact created and service delivery.

Key findings of the assessment:

• The programme has a high social return on investment (SROI). Every rupee spent generated a social value of R8.69 (in a Covid-19 impacted scenario) and R10.67 (in a business as usual scenario).
• The overall profile of the respondents reflected inclusiveness of the programme. The gender ratio of trainees who attended various courses in fiscal 2020 was 1:1. Two-thirds of the trainees in non-technical courses were females and two-thirds of the candidates came from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The Academy gets trainees from diverse educational backgrounds and is Impact Assessment Study able to cater to varying levels of educational qualifications.
• 85% employers found the skill training and technical know-how sound and industryrelevant; 84% of employers found the candidates to have the right attitude and adapt to the workplace culture; 70% of the candidates had clarity on career prospects and 98% trainees mentioned that they would refer their friends/relatives to join the Academy.
• In terms of impact created, the programme had a high placement ratio with 97% of the candidates receiving placement offer letters; 74% of the candidates believe the Academy has substantially contributed to improving their livelihood; 84% of the candidates are part of the active workforce and 16% are pursuing advanced courses.
• The programme had a higher placement success rate and higher average monthly salary being offered to candidates than similar programmes in the industry.