Short Description

A flagship skill-development program under AU Foundation, AU Ignite empowers marginalized youth in Rajasthan through high-demand sectors like IT/ITeS, BFSI, Healthcare, and Hospitality & Tourism. Using a Hub & Spoke model, it offers upskilling, reskilling, and 100% placement support. AU Foundation

Detailed Case Study

Problem

Marginalized youth often face lack of access to quality, industry-aligned training, and struggle to transition into employment due to gaps in skills, workplace readiness, and exposure. Existing programs frequently miss out on sector demand, real-world practice, or life-skills like critical thinking, resilience, leadership.

Solution

I led the design and execution of AU Ignite, focusing on:

Hub & Spoke Model: The Hub delivers advanced up-skilling & reskilling courses (Full Stack Development, AI, Salesforce, etc.), while Spoke Academies deliver foundational, entry-level training. AU Foundation

Wide Geographic Presence: Operating in 12 districts of Rajasthan, with direct academies in Bikaner, Bhilwara, Sikar, Jodhpur, Kota; partner academies in Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Jaitaran, Pali, Nagaur. AU Foundation

Sector Focus: Emphasis on four major disciplines with high employment demand: BFSI, Healthcare, Hospitality & Tourism, and IT & ITeS. AU Foundation

Life Skills & Workplace Readiness: Inclusion of soft skills training — critical thinking, resilience, stress management, leadership, creativity — to ensure youth are job-ready beyond technical skills. AU Foundation

Placement Guarantee Ambition: Aims to ensure 100% placement opportunities for trainees. AU Foundation

Impact / Outcome

Youth trained and placed across 12 districts. AU Foundation

Establishment of five direct academies and seven partner academies, extending reach and scaling impact. AU Foundation

Effective sector alignment: responsiveness to regional demand in BFSI, Healthcare, Hospitality & Tourism, IT/ITeS.

Enhanced youth preparedness through life-skills and practical training, not just theoretical.

Role & Responsibilities

Designed the AU Ignite model: Hub & Spoke structure, selection of sectors, academic & practical curriculum.

Defined district strategy: locating academies, selecting partner institutions, ensuring geographic spread.

Overseen training content and life-skills modules.

Managed stakeholder engagements: university/partner academies, local authorities, CSR partners.

Implemented processes to track placements, performance, and feedback.

Skills Showcased

Ecosystem Design & Strategy

Vocational & Future-Skills Curriculum Development

Youth Empowerment & Social Inclusion

Stakeholder & Partner Management

Life Skills & Employability Training

Project Implementation across Geographies