Tag Jayant Rastogi

July 19, 2024: FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has teamed-up with Magic Bus India Foundation, to address the digital skills gap and employability challenges in India. This collaboration aims to upskill nearly 400 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students, with a priority on enrolling female graduates from underserved communities in Hyderabad. This initiative supports the Indian government’s strategic emphasis on nurturing a thriving pool of tech talent.

An intensive 75-day curriculum has been created to upskill these youth in leading-edge Cloud Computing and allied technologies, along with transferable life and employability skills. Cloud Computing is a leading technology trend rapidly being adopted across businesses, making it an in-demand skill.

The curriculum will be delivered through in-person sessions conducted by expert technical and life skills trainers, facilitating a collaborative learning experience through group activities and teamwork. The digital skilling program includes periodic employer engagement sessions with industry and sector experts, providing youth with practical insights into various entry-level IT/ITeS jobs. The program offers mentorship to help youth strengthen their professional profiles, and interview preparation skills. The course culminates with an industry-relevant project and an opportunity to earn a global certification to showcase the participants acquired skills and knowledge. Upon course completion, participants receive placement assistance for entry-level jobs in IT/ITeS sector and post-placement support to ensure long-term job satisfaction and performance in the workplace.

“At FedEx, we recognize the immense potential of India’s youth and their crucial role in shaping the future,” said Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, Vice President Marketing and Air Network, Middle East Indian Subcontinent and Africa, FedEx. “Developing a rich pool of skilled professionals is essential for driving innovation and growth. Our support not only prepares the youth for immediate job opportunities but also instills the adaptability and knowledge required to thrive in today’s competitive professional landscape. This initiative reinforces our belief that by nurturing youth skills, we are creating the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, ensuring sustained progress and growth.”

Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, said, “We are committed to implementing our shared vision with FedEx to empower youth from underserved communities through our digital skilling program, preparing them for the thriving IT/ITeS sector. This collaboration marks a significant step in developing a future-ready workforce, ensuring that these young individuals are prepared for the evolving job market. By equipping them with life and employability skills, we aim to empower them on their journey towards economic empowerment.”

These joint efforts aim to create a transformative impact by enabling youth to acquire valuable skills, secure employment, and achieve economic stability. By empowering young people to make informed career and life choices, the program enhances their individual agency, encouraging them to support their families, move out of poverty, and become role models and change agents within their communities.

FedEx has a longstanding history of supporting educational and skilling initiatives, exemplified by programs like the FedEx Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx/JA ITC). This program enhances student’s understanding of global trade and helps them develop market entry strategies through team activities and workshops. Since its introduction in India in 2021, the program has engaged over 2,000 students, with 24 representing India at the Asia Pacific finals.

Mumbai, 15th February 2024: Magic Bus India Foundation, a leading non-profit organisation in the education and skilling space, commemorated its 25th Foundation Day, marking a significant milestone in its journey. For the past 25 years, the organisation has been dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through a unique blend of life skills education, and employability skilling.

Magic Bus has expanded its reach to 24 states across India, engaging with numerous communities. The organisation has impacted 18 Lakh adolescents in 2023-24, equipping them with life skills to achieve school, life, and work outcomes. The organisation has also placed over 1 lakh youth in employment, providing them with transferable life and employability skills, and connecting them to sustainable livelihood opportunities. Magic Bus has remained persistent in its commitment to empower, in particular, first-time learners and earners, enabling them to realise their full potential and create a more meaningful and impactful future for themselves and their communities. Looking ahead, Magic Bus aims to extend its impact by empowering over 80 lakh young people in the next three years.

At Magic Bus, we believe in the power of providing agency and opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change,” said Matthew Spacie, Founder, Magic Bus India Foundation, adding: “As we commemorate 25 years of work, we reflect on the millions of lives transformed but we recognise there is much more to do. We remain committed to empowering the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers, igniting a brighter future for all.”

Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, said, “As we celebrate 25 years of empowering young people from marginalised communities with life and employability skills, our commitment to creating a dignified life for them remains unwavering. We continue to work towards shaping the nation’s future through the support of our dedicated teams, streamlined processes, impactful programmes, and strategic partners. Aligned with Viksit Bharat’s vision for a developed India by 2047, our dedication extends to preparing the youth for pivotal roles in nation-building and encouraging increased participation of women in education and the workforce, essential for sustainable development and inclusive growth. Reflecting on our journey thus far, we reaffirm our mission to empower young people towards leading fulfilling lives and contributing to their communities.”

2023 has been a landmark year for Magic Bus India Foundation, marked by a plethora of achievements spanning its programmes, technology, and innovation. Magic Bus signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with six state governments to implement life skills education in government schools. Another MoU was established with the Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC) to empower youth from marginalised communities through Skilling and Livelihood Programmes. The organisation elevated its operations by seamlessly integrating a pioneering initiative in the NGO sector—the Fraud Prevention and Detection (FPD) team for programme monitoring, the Partner Connect Portal to provide funders with real-time insights into their funding, and introduced Future X, an AI-based platform mapping the end-to-end lifecycle management of individuals in their Livelihood Programme.

In the same year, Magic Bus’ pedagogy received recognition from HundrED for ‘Teacher Professional Development,’ securing a place among the top 100 impactful and scalable educational innovations worldwide. The organisation was also honoured with the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice from the Harmony Foundation. Additionally, Magic Bus received the Great Place to Work (GPTW) certification for three consecutive years.

The 25th anniversary celebrations brought together over 3,000 employees, and their families to commemorate the special occasion. Employees from all regions engaged in various sports and games, with equal participation of both male and female employees.