In an exclusive interview on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Ankit Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Unstop, shares his innovative approach through which he prepares students for the demands of the industry.

World Youth Skills Day: On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, India.com Had the opportunity to interview Ankit Agarwal, Founder and CEO of 'Unstop', a community engagement and hiring platform. Aggarwal, who advocates for skill development of students and prepares them with real-world challenges, shared his thoughts on how his company is working tirelessly to enhance the skills of the youth and act as a bridge between industry and job seekers.

1. What are the most important skills gaps you see in the Indian workforce today? How is the gap bridged unstop?

Ankit Aggarwal: Instead of focusing on a specific skill that is missing today, I would like to share how there is a gap between what is being taught to the workforce of the future in educational institutions and what is needed in the industry. For example, the need to use AI in everyday work is increasing, especially in workflows that can be automated. Freshers are taught this only when they undergo hands-on training in the office. On the other hand, soft skills are still not valued as much as technical skills. We have seen corporates develop an interest in finding candidates with a great cultural fit and this can only be assessed through their communication skills, personality and demeanor.

At Unstop, we have created a digital playground for students because at no point in their careers do we want them to feel, “I wish I could have done that”. From upskilling through self-learning modules, to practicing their skills, to connecting with mentors across industries, we've made the process of learning and growing easier. And more accessible to anyone. Students from any college, any city and any domain can be a part of competitions and challenges that give them a chance to earn PPI and PPO.

2. How is technology used unstoppable for skill development and training of PF job seekers? Are there any innovative tools you're particularly proud of?

Ankit Aggarwal: The most important aspect we cover is to make the platform available and accessible to students from any city, college and domain. They have the means to explore new opportunities, through upskilling and competing in challenges that give them confidence and real-world experience. We are putting more emphasis on skill-based work by giving recruiters a variety of methods to evaluate candidates. From cognitive, psychometric, technology assessments to language and gamified that give them an understanding of the candidate's skills.

We have also made it possible for students to easily connect with online mentors through our platform. Students can choose mentors according to the domain they require, experience level, feedback and reviews and more.

3. How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected skill development and employment in India? What strategies has Unstop implemented to adapt to these changes?

Ankit Aggarwal: The pandemic changed most things online. Students were looking for new opportunities not only to upskill but also to gain experience through internships. They had more time to balance upskilling and college. In terms of employment, we saw a change in the job roles being offered. There has also been a shift to a greater focus on hybrid workforce models.

At Unstop, we have changed the way we hire with a comprehensive recruitment process that can be done online. From attracting, evaluating and eventually hiring candidates. Using engagements like hackathons and case study competitions, we are allowing any student from any college and domain to be a part of the hiring process of top companies. Not only that, we've made it possible for students to focus more on getting guidance directly from industry experts rather than finding ways to gain knowledge on topics that require a common but distinct POV.

4. As youth constitute a significant part of India's population, how does Unstop engage and empower youth to enhance their skills and secure employment?

Ankit Aggarwal: With a community of 10 Mn+ students and budding talent, we make sure to connect them with the right opportunities to learn, hone their skills, showcase their skills, earn CV points and job opportunities while unlocking their true potential in their educational journey.

From learning opportunities through self-paced courses and modules on Unstop Pro, a gamified platform to practice skills like coding, interview preparation, skill assessment and more, to guidance from industry leaders and experts who have been through the same cycle as students and know. Problem areas that need to be addressed. The best way for these students to showcase their skills is through competitions and challenges that motivate them to put their best foot forward and solve business problems faced by companies.