Today we're introducing Facebook Digital Training and Facebook Startup Training Hubs, personalised online learning to help small businesses and people in India grow by giving them the digital skills they need to compete in today’s digital economy.
Aiming to train more than half a million people in India by 2020, these online training hubs, which are being rolled out first in India and have been developed with local organizations, will provide digital skills and training for people in need of work, advise entrepreneurs how to get started and help existing businesses and nonprofits get the most out of the internet.
We worked with local organizations, including Digital Vidya, EDII, DharmaLife and StartupIndia, to develop the learning curriculum, which is personalised to the individual's needs and available in English and Hindi on mobile. The curriculum includes vital skills for digital skill seekers and tech entrepreneurs, including how to protect your ideas, how to hire, how to go about getting funding, what regulations and legal hurdles you need to consider, how to build an online reputation, and a whole host of other critical skills required to succeed in today's digital world. This could mean teaching a small business owner how to create an online presence; helping a non-profit reach new communities and potential donors; or it could mean helping a tech entrepreneur turn their product idea into a startup through practical business advice.
We will continue to add lessons and content in the coming months, adapting the curriculum based on people's feedback.
The digital economy is already delivering significant value in India. According to new research by Morning Consult in partnership with Facebook, small businesses' use of digital translates into new jobs and opportunities for communities across the country:
We know that digital skills are important when people are looking for jobs:
Since 2011 Facebook has invested more than $1 billion to support small businesses globally. Facebook Boost Your Business and SheMeansBusiness has trained more than 60,000 small businesses, including 12,000 women entrepreneurs, in India. We want to do more to support communities across India. We want to help businesses and startups grow, and we want to help people acquire the digital skills they need to get a job and grow in today's digital world.
It's why we're introducing our online training hubs:
Ritesh Mehta, Head of Programs, Facebook, India & South Asia, said, “Digital skills unlock opportunities, empower people to dream big, build products, grow businesses and foster communities. We believe the best way to prepare India for a digital economy is by equipping people with the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to succeed. We want more people to be have the opportunity to build their skills, build a business or build something for their community — because investing in people can lead to incredible things.”
Deepak Bagla, Managing Director & CEO Invest India, said, “India's entrepreneurs are changing; each day more businesses begin and are as varied as they are innovative. But a great idea is just a beginning, success will only be achieved if we support entrepreneurs to build the business skills they need to secure sustainable business growth. Startup India Hub is proud to partner with Facebook and build a program that will provide business skills development to ensure the success of our newest entrepreneurs, our future will be brighter when we work together.”
Kapil Nakra, Co-founder of Digital Vidya, said, “Digital Vidya supports professionals, students, and entrepreneurs in acquiring Digital Marketing skills. Acquiring Digital Marketing skills not only create employment opportunities but it also helps professionals to improve their performance in their existing job profiles including Sales, Marketing, HR, and Product Development. We believe Digital Marketing Skills can contribute significantly to the rapid growth and transformation of India's economy. By working with Facebook, we are committed to developing programs that will support everyone who wants to leverage digital marketing for their professional growth. These programs will everyone to grow and thrive in today's digital world.”
Facebook India Fast Facts