Impact assessment study of NASSCOM ARISE On-Campus technical skilling program using mixed methods
Client Name: NASSCOM
Location: Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore
Background Context: As a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the ARISE On-Campus program was conceptualized in 2015 by Altran Technologies India Private Limited (then known as Aricent Technologies Limited), an engineering company based in India. The primary focus was to enhance engineering students’ technical skills such as programming languages, web development, and soft skills such as business etiquette, communications skills and capabilities for easy integration into the workforce.
NASSCOM Foundation was roped in to support the donor in the venture, given its extensive influence in the IT/IT-enabled services domain and its experience in understanding the contemporary needs of the industry and designing curricula to align with these requirements.
The pilot program was initiated between 2015-17. It sought to focus on the following:
- Tier 2 and Tier 3 engineering colleges in major IT hubs (e.g., Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore), as this would enable easy access to the job market.
- Students belonging to marginalized populations: Women, scheduled castes/scheduled tribes, other backward castes, economically weaker sections (annual household income was lesser than INR 6 lakhs per annum).
Objectives
After the ARISE program ended in 2020, Development Solutions was commissioned to undertake an impact assessment study in 2022 to understand and assess the impact and program implementation processes. The objectives of the impact assessment study were:
- To assess and document the nature of the impact of the ARISE On-Campus program on students to ascertain whether it has:
- Enabled better skills and job opportunities
- Promoted career progression
- Improved personal and familial standard of living
- To determine whether it had any impact on training partners and colleges
- To review program processes by assessing the implementation approach and mechanisms of the program
- To highlight the successes and challenges
Approach and Methodology
- Method/ Design: Mixed methods: Secondary internet-based literature review, secondary data analysis based on Management Information Systems data shared by NASSCOM; quantitative methods (self-administered survey, phone surveys), and qualitative interactions
- Key Respondents/ Informants: Students; training institutions: program managers, trainers; colleges: principals, teachers/ professors, and other staff engaged in placement; recruiters/ managers at companies where students are placed; NASSCOM foundation – program team
- Key Areas of Inquiry: Program’s impact on students’ professional and personal lives, colleges and training centers; the impact of COVID-19 on the program; and stakeholder perspectives on sustainability.
- Sample: Quantitative (946): Self-administered survey (574), phone survey (372); Qualitative: interactions/ in-depth interviews (84)
Impact
Enabled CSR units to assess and understand the impact created by their investments and learnings for future investments in STEM skilling.
Contact
17/109, Lower Ground Floor, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi – 110024