Demand for upskilling courses and educational institutions is high, especially as new technologies emerge that disrupt the industry. Startups and education providers are leveraging technology to build scalable skills platforms to address existing skills gaps in Indian industries. His one of these online upskilling platforms is Hyderabad-based OdinSchool, which specializes in high-growth technologies. The bootcamps offered by OdinSchool aim for maximum job readiness through hands-on, project-based teaching methods, modern curricula, comprehensive career services, and dedicated placement assistance. In a conversation with OdinSchool founder and CEO, Bizz Buzz, Vijay Pasupulati said: correct skill. This skills gap needs to be addressed urgently. A former vice president of his Goldman Sachs in New York, Vijay discovered his passion for education entrepreneurship when he moved to India in 2008. In May 2021, he launched OdinSchool after founding Winzest and his start-up company called GreyCampus.New York University Stern School of Business and BA in NIT, Warangal
How is OdinSchool different from other upskilling platforms?
With the world’s largest population today, our country needs to address the skills gap in order to capitalize on its large youth population. OdinSchool addresses this growing need through structured and guided Skills He bootcamps, while providing businesses with a source of skilled talent. We work on cutting-edge technology skills that many traditional skills companies don’t. We are headquartered in Hyderabad, but we serve learners from all over India and even outside India through our online courses. We believe that a big country like India needs more upskilling companies like OdinSchool.
Which courses are offered?
We launched the Data Science Bootcamp as our flagship program. We also currently offer a Full Stack Software Developer Bootcamp. Our bootcamps run for 6 months and are very precisely aligned with the skills in demand in the industry. They are designed to have the appropriate rigor necessary to learn and practice these hard tech skills.
Tell me more about your learner base.
We upskill both graduates and professionals. In fact, early professionals with 1 to his 5 years of experience and looking to grow their careers or transition to new technologies make up the bulk of our learner base. We now have over 2,000 of her learners on our platform. Start a new cohort with 400-500 learners each month. We work with over 100 of her mentors and have over 500 employment partners.
What is the fee structure? And how do students benefit after paying this amount?
Currently, the Data Science Bootcamp is priced at Rs 99,000 and the Full Stack Software Development course is priced at Rs 85,000. We are offering scholarships up to Rs 30,000 based on the tests of both bootcamps. To make it easier for learners, a variety of credit partners with her partners to offer interest-free loans. The fees students pay are an investment in the future, not an expense. Most of our learners are in jobs with packages ranging from Rs.5 million to Rs.3000000 per year. In other words, within 12 months, it’s very likely that he will earn 20 times more from her 5 times what he paid. This is only a short-term benefit. A bigger advantage is that this course is designed to provide learners with an entry into the growing field of data science. The growth will be tremendous. So technically they will continue to enjoy the benefits of this investment for the rest of their lives.
Please tell us about OdinSchools’ business model and current financial situation.
Our services are built to serve two categories of customers: learners who want to upskill for a better career, and companies who are always looking for quality talent. Our business model is built on the learner segment. Our income comes from the fees our learners pay for our courses. We do not charge anything from companies to hire our students. The company has been growing steadily since its inception and is growing rapidly.
Do you have an annual plan?
Yes, we have many expansion plans. We will share this information at a later date at a more appropriate time.
How prepared are students in the industry and what are universities doing for better adoption rates?
The industry is changing at a very fast pace. In fact, technology goes in and out of style every six months. Universities frequently revise their curricula, making it difficult to keep up with the current education system. As such, students are ill-prepared for the industry unless they improve their skills in the latest technologies. Some universities offer short-term programs. However, most of these are conceptual in nature. The industry needs talent to come up with hands-on practices that are most often lacking.
What areas of engineering can be considered safe havens for future graduates?
Emerging technologies such as data science, AI, ML, IoT, blockchain, full-stack development, and cybersecurity continue to be strong areas. However, this emerging technology will also undergo many transformations. New tools will emerge in these areas. Technology diversifies into more specialized areas. So unless graduates and early professionals continue to learn and improve their skills, no place is safe.
Do all the debates surrounding artificial intelligence mean fewer job opportunities?
The adoption of AI will change the nature of work. In the future, jobs that do not require advanced human judgment, emotional intelligence, decision-making and strategy may be taken over by AI. But the point here is that AI is not competing with humans for jobs. Rather, it is used as a tool to make human work more efficient and productive. Therefore, learners must learn how to employ these technologies in the work they do, whether it be analytics, software development, marketing, or other areas.
Do Tier I college students have an education advantage over other colleges?
Universities with better facilities and faculty are arguably better at providing their students with a comprehensive education. They should explore the world outside the university grounds. With access to a wealth of information, learning resources, and online education platforms, you can take quality courses and fill skill gaps. They can also work with people from different parts of the country and the world on projects. Therefore, there is a lot of room to learn and grow, regardless of the university they study at.
What about the upskilling market in India?
Technology is evolving so rapidly that upskilling is the most relevant and most important aspect in today’s tech world. According to a NASSCOM report, about 80% of India’s workforce will need upskilling to stay employed. Companies are also increasing their training and upskilling budgets as productivity increases. Additionally, upskilling is accessible today thanks to online courses and edtech companies like ours.
What are women’s skills and hiring trends?
Between data science and full stack, we see that women from different backgrounds choose data science over full stack. This tendency is often seen among women who aim to re-enter the workforce after taking a leave of absence. All cohorts have approximately 40% female learners. With this number growing, we hope to encourage more women to pursue careers in these emerging fields. are making efforts. Women with career gaps therefore have a great chance to get back to work if they upskill themselves.
Who will upskilling be a lifesaver during the current layoff cycle?
Upskilling is a lifesaver for everyone, regardless of the type of work they do, especially during layoffs. The professionals who are laid off are probably the ones who contribute the least to the company, which means their skill sets are not aligned with what the industry needs. Despite the story, the important thing to remember is that layoff season is a short-term phenomenon. . In that case, professionals with the latest skill sets are hired.
