TSSC announces partnership with CSC to train 1 lakh rural youth for the maintenance of BharatNet

TSSC to provide certification after 10000 rural youth already trained and working for BharatNet

Mumbai, June 18, 2021: Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) today announced partnership with The Common Services Centers (CSC) to train 100,000 (One Lakh) CSC Village Level Entrepreneurs and rural youth on the maintenance of optical fiber under BharatNet across the country. This will ensure availability of reliable Internet to citizens in rural areas, enabling their participation in digital governance and economy.

The training will be conducted through CSC Academy, the Education and CSR wing of CSC, and will focus on acquiring knowledge about optical fiber applications, splicing of optical fiber, installation of Optical Fiber Cables, and entrepreneurship and soft skills. Training will be imparted through an online mode with both self-paced modules as well as live classes. TSSC will provide certification to the trainees after an online assessment.

In July 2019, CSC was entrusted with the responsibility of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of BharatNet Optical Fiber Cable, First Line Maintenance (FLM) of equipment and providing last mile connectivity through Wi-Fi. Since then, Fiber Restoration Teams comprising more than 10,000 rural youth have been trained and mobilized for the BharatNet maintenance through CSC.

With the announcement by Hon’ Prime Minister to connect every village across the nation with optical fiber in the coming 1000 days, CSC is gearing up to provide Fiber to the Home (FTTH) broadband Internet connectivity to all villages.

Mr. Arvind Bali, CEO, TSSC said, “With a growing national interest in fiberisation, there has been an increase in demand for skills and jobs that are needed for this infrastructure and related services. It is our endeavor to support the government’s vision for a digitally connected nation and an ‘Atma Nirbhar’ Bharat. Fibersation is the backbone of digital infrastructure that is needed to drive this vision, particularly in the rural areas.”

Elaborating on the training, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, CEO, CSC SPV, said, “Through this partnership, we plan to raise a pool of skilled VLEs and rural youth who will provide last-mile optical fiber connectivity across the country under the BharatNet programme. This will also generate employment opportunities in rural India and contribute towards Government’s mission of a self-reliant India.”

Mr. Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi, CEO, CSC Wi-Fi Choupal Services India (P) Limited said, “CSC Wi-Fi Choupal has been entrusted with the maintenance of optical fiber in 1,18,121 Gram Panchayats across the country since 2019. As many as 10,000 VLEs and rural youth have been providing maintenance services across these GPs. With this partnership, we will be able to enhance the number of skilled workers for optical fiber maintenance, ensuring uninterrupted Internet connectivity in rural areas.”

About Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC):

Established under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, Telecom Sector Skill Council is an industry led apex body, a not-for-profit organization, committed to developing world-class skilled manpower for the telecom industry. The organization is a joint collaboration by Cellular Operators Association of India, India Cellular & Electronics Association and National Skill Development Corporation under the aegis of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Department of Telecommunications. TSSC has certified over 6.5 lac people already work,  and has approximate 500 training partners with 1000+ training centers across the country and continues to strive forward with a commitment.

About Common Services Centers (CSC):

The Common Services Centers is one of the flagship programmes under the ‘Digital India Programme’. CSCs offer assisted access to essential government and public utility services, social welfare schemes, financial services, education and skill development courses, apart from a host of B2C services.  CSC Academy provides access to professional learning and skills for learners of diverse backgrounds and educational needs through the extensive use of ICTs at CSCs.