Kerala Government Partners With Coursera To Train 60,000 Learners In 2025

The Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission (KKEM), an initiative by Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), the Government of Kerala, has partnered with Coursera, a leading global online learning platform, to equip youth across the state with industry-relevant skills. Announced at a special event held at John Cox Engineering college Kanamoola, Thiruvananthapuram, this collaboration aims to train 60,000 Kerala residents in 2025, equipping them with critical skills for 17 high-demand digital job roles. The partnership is an integral part of KKEM, which seeks to train 30 lakh individuals and create 20 lakh jobs by 2026.

The vision of this programme is not just focused on employment but also on building a robust talent pipeline that aligns education with industry needs, fostering sustainable and inclusive growth. This initiative is built on a two-pronged approach:

Empowering the workforce of tomorrow: By introducing Coursera’s cutting-edge content and micro-credentials, graduating students will gain industry-relevant skills that make them job-ready from day one. This includes the Talent Accelerator Programme, a three-month intensive initiative for final-year students in higher education institutions across Kerala, with the first cohort launching in 250 colleges.

Upskilling job seekers and professionals: Individuals seeking new opportunities or re-entering the workforce will gain access to role-based learning and credentials designed for high-demand digital jobs. Talent Curation Executives at local self-government nodes will be trained to manage job stations, driving skilling initiatives at the block panchayat level.

All learners will have access to 40 virtual academies focused on key domains such as AI/ML, cloud computing, cybersecurity, creative design, logistics and supply chain and digital marketing. These academies feature Professional Certificates from leading companies like Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Adobe and Salesforce, designed to help learners from all backgrounds - regardless of degree or prior industry experience - gain the skills needed to launch their careers in just a few months.

K.N. Balagopal, Finance Minister of Kerala said: “Kerala has always prioritised education and skill development as the foundation of its growth. This partnership with Coursera is a step forward in ensuring our youth and workforce are equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. By aligning education with industry needs, we are not only fostering local innovation but also positioning Kerala as a hub of global talent and opportunity.”

“We are thrilled to partner with K-DISC on this transformative initiative. Kerala is setting an inspiring example of how collaboration between governments, educators and industry can create a skilled workforce and unlock new opportunities for growth”, said Tim Hannan, Chief Marketing Officer, Coursera. “Together, we share a vision to make learning accessible to all, empowering individuals, strengthening communities and fostering talent that excels both locally and globally.” 

Taking a community-driven approach, Coursera and KKEM will also train 1,000 plus mentors from across Kerala, including faculty, career counselors and community leaders, to provide personalised guidance to learners. Four-day mentor enablement workshops will be held in Trivandrum, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode. Mentors will also receive Career Coach Certification from Coursera via the Digital Workforce Management System (DWMS) portal, equipping them to guide learners effectively and provide consistent support on skilling opportunities, ensuring development reaches every corner of the state.