India’s First 1M1B Green Skills Academy Centre Inaugurated In Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu introduces the state’s first Green Skills Academy, aimed at empowering youth with green and professional skills for a sustainable future
In a significant move towards fostering sustainable growth, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, inaugurated India’s first 1M1B Green Skills Academy’s Career Readiness Centre in Kuppam on Tuesday. This initiative, in collaboration with the Kuppam Area Development Authority (KADA) and the United Nations-accredited 1M1B (One Million for One Billion) Foundation, is designed to equip the state’s youth and young professionals with green and professional skills essential for thriving in a rapidly evolving green economy.
The 1M1B Green Skills Academy Career Readiness Centre, the first of its kind in the state, aims to empower individuals aged 18 and above with career readiness training and skills related to sustainable employment sectors. Through the initiative, 1M1B aims to engage over 50,000 youth from Kuppam and its neighboring areas over the next two years, providing them with opportunities to develop skills in e-waste management, renewable energy, electric mobility, sustainable agriculture, and digital skills like AI, leadership, and critical thinking.
“We are grateful to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the opportunity to set up the first Green Skills Academy in the state,” said Manav Subodh, Founder & Chief Mentor of 1M1B. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in realizing Andhra Pradesh’s vision for sustainable growth, empowering our youth with the skills to excel in the green economy. Our vision is to make Kuppam a global hub for green skills and a model for nurturing climate talent.”
The centre is poised to serve as a transformative platform, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on training, internships, and job placements. The aim is to connect a minimum of 30,000 graduates of the centre with organizations for workplace experiences, internships, and job opportunities, ultimately preparing them to succeed in the emerging green workforce.
The inaugural event was attended by key dignitaries including N. Chandrababu Naidu, Vikas Marmat, IAS, Project Director of KADA, Srikanth Kancharla, MLC, Kuppam, and other representatives from the 1M1B Foundation.
Shri Srikanth Kancharla expressed his pride in the initiative, stating, “We are proud to launch the 1M1B Green Skills Academy Career Readiness Centre in Kuppam as a pilot initiative. This centre will empower our youth with future-ready skills and inspire them to lead the way in sustainability and innovation.”
Vikas Marmat, IAS, highlighted the importance of aligning skills training with the state’s vision for sustainable growth, saying, “This initiative reflects Kuppam’s vision of creating sustainable employment opportunities for our youth, enabling them to contribute to the region’s progress.”
The Green Skills Academy will particularly focus on promoting inclusion by encouraging active participation from rural, tribal, and socially disadvantaged communities. The center aims to provide a diverse and inclusive learning environment where young individuals from all backgrounds can gain relevant skills for a sustainable future.
This centre also contributes to the broader global movement toward a green economy, with the International Labour Organization (ILO) predicting the creation of 24 million new jobs in the green economy by 2030, including 8.4 million in developing countries. The renewable energy sector alone is expected to generate over 38 million jobs by 2030, making initiatives like this centre critical in preparing the workforce for a sustainable future.
1M1B, which had announced the Green Skills Academy at the United Nations headquarters in December 2023, aims to develop India’s green workforce and nurture climate talent, with a goal to create 100 Green Energy Entrepreneurs from India. This collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh Government marks a significant milestone in this vision.
Through this initiative, 1M1B and KADA are laying the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future, one where youth and young professionals are equipped with the skills to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s economy.
