Background

NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) is the leading not-for-profit association representing the Indian IT-BPM industry. It supports the $194 billion sector’s growth by fostering skill development, and its FutureSkills program aims to reskill 2 million professionals and students in critical IT skills over five years. Pearson India collaborated with NASSCOM to deliver the FutureSkills platform, offering skill-based learning and certifications to prepare India’s workforce for the demands of the digital future.

Challenges

The FutureSkills program faced several challenges in building a scalable learning platform:

• Scalable Skill Development: With a goal to reach 2 million learners, the platform needed to support large-scale enrollment and engagement.
• Seamless Learning Experience: Integrating content and assessments from different sources required a robust LMS capable of synchronizing with existing systems, including Pearson’s Student Gateway.
• Real-Time Assessment Integration: To ensure practical, skill-based learning, the platform needed to incorporate real-time assessments and virtual labs.
• Flexible Access to Learning Resources: Learners needed the ability to switch between free and paid content, manage certifications, and participate in virtual labs.

Solution

Edvanta implemented a custom Totara Learn platform for FutureSkills, integrating it with Pearson India’s systems and real-time assessment tools. Key solution components included:

• Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration: SSO integration enabled learners to seamlessly transition between the Pearson Student Gateway and the Totara LMS, streamlining access to course materials and assessments.
• Real-Time Assessments with DoSelect Integration: Integration with DoSelect enabled interactive assessments and lab activities, allowing students to practice and validate their skills in real-time.
• Skill-Based Course Management: The platform supports a range of video-based, self-paced courses, offering both free and paid content. Learners can enroll in specialized IT skills programs that meet industry standards.
• Interactive Learning and Certification Pathways: The platform’s certification pathway tracks learners’ progress, providing official recognition of skills acquired and supporting the FutureSkills mission to reskill India’s IT workforce.

Results

The Totara-powered FutureSkills platform has achieved significant milestones for NASSCOM and Pearson India:

• 400,000+ Active Learners: The platform has enrolled over 400,000 students and professionals, making substantial progress toward its goal of 2 million learners.
• Seamless User Experience: The SSO integration offers an uninterrupted learning journey across platforms, increasing engagement and accessibility.
• Real-Time Skill Verification: Through DoSelect and virtual lab integrations, learners gain hands-on experience, enhancing the practical application of skills learned.
• Flexible Skill Development Options: With on-demand access to certifications, virtual labs, and content-rich modules, the platform offers learners a customizable and scalable learning experience.

Conclusion

The FutureSkills platform exemplifies the impact of a technology-driven learning solution on skill development. By partnering with Edvanta, NASSCOM and Pearson India provided a Totara Learn-based system that supports scalable skill-building for India’s IT sector. As the program advances, FutureSkills will continue to empower learners with the tools and knowledge essential for a competitive digital workforce.