upGrad, a prominent Bengaluru-based edtech unicorn, has partnered with the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO) to support military veterans and their dependents in transitioning to the corporate workforce. This collaboration offers tailored skill development programs in key areas such as AI, Digital Marketing, Data Science, and vocational courses. Veterans, including widows, spouses, and young graduates from military families, will be equipped with both white-collar and blue-collar job skills to ease their career shifts. AWPO, a non-profit under the Ministry of Defence, has been successfully placing retired military personnel in jobs across multiple sectors for years. The partnership is expected to drive economic inclusion and provide the veterans with the skills needed to succeed in corporate roles. The effort aligns with upGrad’s mission to contribute to nation-building through education and skill enhancement.
upGrad’s Vision: Empowering Through Education
upGrad, one of Asia’s largest integrated online learning platforms, is revolutionizing the skilling and education landscape. Founded in 2015 by a team of dynamic entrepreneurs including Mayank Kumar, Phalgun Kompalli, and Ronnie Screwvala, upGrad is backed by a strong vision to enable lifelong learning. The platform delivers courses in a wide array of subjects, including artificial intelligence, data science, digital marketing, and management. upGrad’s unique revenue model includes a subscription-based model for individual learners and enterprise solutions for businesses looking to upskill their employees. With funding from several venture capital firms, including Temasek, the company has grown significantly, reaching over 3 million learners globally. It aims to bridge the skill gap by partnering with top-tier universities and businesses. These strategic partnerships enable upGrad to deliver high-quality educational experiences that cater to evolving industry demands.
Strategic Partnership with AWPO
In February 2025, upGrad entered into a strategic partnership with the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO), aiming to create career opportunities for military veterans and their families. AWPO, established in 1999, plays a pivotal role in supporting retired military personnel and their dependents in finding meaningful employment. The organization provides a bridge to civilian careers by placing veterans in both government and private sectors. The new partnership with upGrad will empower these individuals by providing access to skill development programs designed to align their military experience with the requirements of corporate India. The partnership will focus on offering training in domains like artificial intelligence, digital marketing, data science, and vocational skills, giving veterans the necessary tools to thrive in both white-collar and blue-collar roles.
Bridging the Skill Gap for Veterans
The career transition from military service to civilian employment can be daunting for many veterans. Most military personnel retire in their late 30s, facing challenges in adapting their specialized military skills to civilian industries. Many veterans struggle with financial instability after retirement, relying on pensions that often do not cover the cost of living. This partnership between upGrad and AWPO is crucial for easing that transition. By providing targeted training and skill development, upGrad is helping veterans and their families to align their expertise with the needs of the corporate sector. The training programs will focus on areas such as soft skills, communication, and business acumen, which are essential in the corporate world but may not be directly taught during military service.
AWPO’s Role and Impact
AWPO has been instrumental in helping military veterans transition into civilian careers. The organization has successfully placed over 130,000 veterans and their dependents into various sectors, from government jobs to corporate roles. AWPO operates across 17 regional offices, including in conflict zones like Jammu & Kashmir, to ensure that veterans from all parts of India have access to job opportunities. The organization understands the unique skills that military personnel bring, such as discipline, leadership, and resilience, and aims to match these qualities with the demands of the civilian workforce. In the past year alone, AWPO has placed over 16,000 junior commissioned officers (JCOs), 450 officers, and 300 widows/wards, showcasing its growing influence in the placement ecosystem.
Enhancing Veterans’ Soft Skills for Corporate Roles
While veterans bring unmatched discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking to the table, their transition to corporate life often requires additional soft skills. The shift from a military to a corporate environment requires veterans to adapt to a different culture, focusing on teamwork, communication, and customer relations. upGrad designs its training programs to enhance these critical skills, preparing veterans to take on roles in corporate India. The tailored courses will focus not only on technical skills but also on interpersonal abilities and problem-solving strategies, making veterans industry-ready and highly competitive in the corporate job market.
Empowering Military Families
The collaboration also aims to benefit the families of veterans, including wives, young graduates, and widows of martyrs, who often face financial hardships and challenges in securing stable employment. By providing access to upskilling programs, this initiative seeks to empower military families, helping them create a more secure future. These programs cater to individuals from diverse educational backgrounds and skill levels, offering flexibility. Whether pursuing careers in AI, digital marketing, or vocational training, these courses equip family members of veterans with the knowledge needed to thrive in the workforce. This holistic approach aligns with upGrad’s commitment to fostering economic and social inclusion.
Supporting Nation-Building Through Education
Srikanth Iyengar, CEO of upGrad Enterprise, expressed pride in this partnership, highlighting that it aligns with upGrad’s broader vision of contributing to nation-building. “Our partnership with AWPO is a powerful response to the growing demand for skilling in India,” said Iyengar. This collaboration is particularly timely, given the Indian government’s focus on promoting skilling initiatives and improving the quality of the workforce. By equipping veterans with the necessary tools to succeed in the corporate sector, upGrad and AWPO are helping to create a more skilled and inclusive workforce, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth and development.
Strengthening the Workforce with upGrad’s Expertise
In conclusion, the partnership between upGrad and AWPO offers a unique opportunity to enhance the skill sets of military veterans and their dependents. By providing access to specialized training in high-demand fields like AI, data science, and digital marketing, this initiative is creating a pathway for veterans to transition into India’s growing corporate workforce. The collaboration is not only a strategic move by upGrad but also a significant step in promoting economic and social inclusion for military families. Through this partnership, upGrad is empowering veterans to leverage their strengths and gain the necessary skills to thrive in the civilian workforce, fulfilling its mission of enabling lifelong learning and fostering national progress.
Learning for Startups and Entrepreneurs
This partnership offers important lessons for startups and entrepreneurs looking to create impactful initiatives. First, focusing on a niche group of individuals with unique needs, like veterans, can lead to a highly rewarding and socially responsible business model. Second, collaboration with government and non-profit organizations can amplify a startup’s reach and make a meaningful difference in the community. Finally, providing targeted skill development programs that cater to real-world job requirements can make a significant impact, both economically and socially.
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