27th November 2024, India: NIIT Foundation, in partnership with Mahindra Finance, has announced the launch of a Financial and Digital Literacy Program aimed at empowering 30,000 underprivileged Gig workers across India. This initiative represents a significant step towards equipping the growing gig workforce with essential skills for the digital age.
In today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, financial and digital literacy have become crucial for personal and professional success. Despite the prevalence of the digital landscape, only 38% of the households are digitally literate[1], while only 27% of the population can be deemed as financially literate.[2]
This program addresses a critical need among gig workers, who often lack access to formal financial education and digital tools. By bridging this knowledge gap, the initiative aims to foster financial inclusion and enhance the economic resilience of this vital segment of the workforce.
The comprehensive program will cover a wide range of topics, including banking basics, savings strategies, e-wallet usage, investment fundamentals, insurance principles, and key government schemes. Through a combination of interactive workshops, online modules, and hands-on training, participants will gain practical skills to manage their finances effectively in the digital era.
Sapna Moudgil, CEO at NIIT Foundation, stated, “With the ever-evolving digital landscape, more and more people are going online – and 99.9% of internet users utilise a mobile device[3] to access the web for a plethora of services – be it for paying bills or ordering food and shopping. That said, digital and financially literacy – which, today, go hand in hand to a great extent – still remain amiss. With this in mind, our collaboration with Mahindra Finance allows us to empower gig workers and nano enterprises with financial and digital literacy by not just imparting knowledge but also opening doors to economic opportunities and financial stability.”
Further commending the partnership, Neelima D’silva Dalvi, Lead CSR at Mahindra Finance, said, “Our partnership with NIIT Foundation aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering inclusive growth. This program will play a crucial role in creating a more financially savvy and digitally empowered community, ultimately contributing to India’s economic progress.”
Looking ahead, NIIT Foundation and Mahindra Finance envision expanding the program’s reach to more beneficiaries in the coming years. This initiative marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to upskilling India’s gig workforce and promoting financial inclusion on a national scale.
