According to a statement on Monday, British Council and Microsoft India said they have recently signed an agreement for a co-developed three-year partnership programme- English Skills for Youth. The English Skills for Youth programme seeks to improve life opportunities for young people between 18 to 25 years, particularly women, in socio-economically marginalised or unprivileged communities across India.

The beneficiaries will also be provided with fundamental underpinning skills, including teamwork, collaboration, leadership abilities, critical thinking, and soft skills, delivering a holistic development plan for the youth.

The English Skills for Youth programme solution will be incorporated into rural engineering educational institutions linked to Microsoft's existing NGO or associate skilling projects for the underserved.

Alison Barrett MBE, Director British Council, said allowing young people, especially women, with life and employment opportunities, are at the core of all our work in culture, education, and English, so we are pleased to announce the English Skills for Youth programme with the Microsoft India team.