HerShakti Program – a government-industry initiative launched by JobsForHer Foundation in Collaboration with the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, A GoK Initiative and Tech Giants

The JobsForHer Foundation, in collaboration with the Karnataka Digital Economic Mission (KDEM), under its W@W -Women at Work initiative, Infosys Springboard, UiPath, Broadridge and other esteemed partners, announced the launch of HerShakti, an exclusive program for women in tech, at the AccelHERate & DivHERsity Awards 2024, powered by HerKey. 

The HerShakti program is a first-of-its-kind government-industry joint initiative to bring women back to work in the technology sector, fostering gender diversity and inclusion. Through this program, the JobsForHer Foundation, powered by HerKey, aims to upskill 500 women returnees in emerging technologies in the next 6 months.

HerShakti is a comprehensive program tailored for women returnees and starters to provide them with essential tech capabilities and professional skills required for the evolving job market. The program will offer courses in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Cyber Security, Intelligent Process Automation (IPA), Blockchain and Cloud Computing powered by companies such as Infosys Springboard, UiPath and Broadridge. The curriculum is designed to equip women in diverse job roles, making it an industry-led initiative supported by the Government of Karnataka.

The program was launched by Hon. Minister Shri. Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT/BT and Panchayat Raj during his keynote address at the AccelHERate conference powered by HerKey. Mr. Priyank’s insights emphasized the significance of empowering women in the tech industry and the positive impact of such initiatives on Karnataka’s digital economy.

The launch was also graced by Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO of KDEM, Rajesh Nambiar, APJ Director – Academic and Learning Alliances, UiPath and Roopashri VY, VP – Head of Learning & Development, Broadridge.

“The Karnataka Government stands firmly committed to supporting women in entrepreneurship, skilling, and employment. Through initiatives like Elevate, Women Elevate, Women@Work Initiative, and the newly launched ‘HerShakti Program,’ we are providing women with the necessary resources and support to succeed in the IT/BT sector. These efforts not only empower women but also contribute to the overall growth and diversity of our workforce. We invite all stakeholders to join us in this journey towards a more inclusive and prosperous Karnataka.” – Honourable Minister Shri Priyank Kharge Ji

Highlighting the importance of women participation in the tech industry, Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO of Herkey and leading trustee of the JobsForHer Foundation stated, “We are thrilled to introduce the HerShakti program in a unique collaboration put together between government and industry in order to upskill women on a break in the latest technologies. The HerShakti program is a manifestation of our dedication to nurturing growth and development, empowering women from the tech industry, and making a positive impact on Karnataka’s digital landscape.”

“KDEM commends the exemplary efforts of corporates in championing inclusion and diversity. The collaboration between HerKey and KDEM in launching the HerShakti program underscores our joint commitment to empowering women in tech, paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive digital economy. The support of both the Skill Development Department and ITBT Department, Government of Karnataka, further enhances our efforts in skill development, particularly for women re-entering the workforce after a career break.” – Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)

The AccelHERate & DivHERsity Awards 2024, powered by HerKey 一 India’s biggest conference and awards of the year for companies committed to diversity and inclusion, also brought together corporate leaders from Induslnd Bank, RBL Bank, MasterCard, Sun Life Global Solutions, Carelon, Equinix, Ericsson, Finastara, Lenovo, TransUnion Cibil and leaders from over 300 top companies under one roof to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The event also honoured companies who are at the forefront of D&I practices at the DivHERsity Awards.