Bengaluru, 23rd July 2025: EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS), in collaboration with the Learning Links Foundation (LLF), has launched its first Green Skills Centre of Excellence (CoE) at a government high school in Bengaluru. A second CoE is set to open in New Delhi in the coming months. These centres aim to equip over 1,200 students from underserved communities with practical knowledge and skills in sustainability and emerging technologies.
The Green Skills CoE in Bangalore was inaugurated by Rajasekar Rajagopal, Assurance and Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) leader, EY GDS, and was attended by Rumi Mallick Mitra, Director, Corporate Responsibility, EY GDS, Nuriya Ansari, President, Learning Links Foundation, and Sudha Priyadarshan, Senior Vice President, LLF.
Designed for students between Grades 6 to 12, the Green Skills centres offer hands-on, project-based learning in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, waste management, renewable energy, and digital innovations like AI and analytics. It will help students develop both digital fluency and environmental consciousness, which are key traits for India’s future workforce.
The Green Skills CoE includes a dedicated lab setup powered by green technology. The curriculum will enable sustainability learning aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), helping students understand real-world environmental challenges. Hosted within government high schools to maximize accessibility and inclusion, the project includes professional development of teachers in sustainability-led pedagogy and the use of AI in sustainability.
Rajasekar Rajagopal, Assurance and CCaSS leader, EY GDS, said, “Sustainability and education must go hand in hand to create long-term impact. The launch of EY GDS Green Skills Centre of Excellence is not just about upskilling students—it’s about enabling a generation to think differently, act responsibly, and lead with purpose. Through this initiative, we’re embedding green thinking at the grassroots level, equipping students from underserved communities with practical, future-focused skills that align with India’s sustainability ambitions.”
Nuriya Ansari, President, Learning Links Foundation, said: “Our collaboration with EY GDS is a powerful step toward reimagining the role of schools as catalysts for change. By integrating green and digital skills into education, we are not only enhancing classroom learning but also planting the seeds for a more sustainable society. The Green Skills CoE is not just a lab; it’s a platform for these young minds to explore, create, and innovate for a sustainable future. Together, we are shaping a generation that is fully conscious of its responsibility to the planet and society.”
Rumi Mallick Mitra, EY GDS Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability leader, said, “At EY GDS, we are committed to empowering the next generation with the skills and mindset to drive a more sustainable future. Through strong collaboration with government and on-ground partners, we’re enabling real-world learning that inspires students to become responsible, future-ready leaders of change—starting at the community level.”
The Green Skills CoE program is an extension of Green Skills Passport—an online learning program developed in collaboration with Microsoft. With over 70,000 learners already enrolled, the program enables individuals aged 16 and above to build foundational knowledge in sustainability, AI, entrepreneurship, and employability.
The Green Skills CoE has been launched in collaboration with the Learning Links Foundation, an NGO working across India to promote education and skills development of Indian youth. LLF partners with the Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Skills Development, Government of India, and also works with various state governments and associated entities.
Together, these efforts reflect EY GDS’s commitment to empowering future-ready talent through sustainable, inclusive learning. By combining digital access with on-the-ground impact, the Green Skills initiative is helping shape a more resilient and environmentally conscious generation.