The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched a Green Internship Programme for all AICTE-affiliated institutions and universities, offering 10,000 internships in its first year. The programme aims to equip students with the skills necessary to address climate change by leveraging AI to develop talent for the green economy. Interns will work on live projects focused on transforming educational institutions into green campuses, conducting campus audits, suggesting energy-saving measures, and designing zero-waste systems. This hands-on experience will prepare students for future roles in sustainability, carbon reduction, and transforming enterprises into NetZero and sustainable businesses.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the green economy could create 24 million new jobs by 2030, with 8.4 million of these in developing countries. The renewable energy sector alone is expected to generate over 38 million jobs by 2030, making the Green Internship Programme an important entry point for students into this growing field.
The programme will partner with key organizations to mentor and train students, focusing on integrating sustainability with performance data intelligence for climate action. Using project-based learning, students will engage in real projects that address energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, waste management, water conservation, and carbon footprint reduction. Gamified assessments will be employed to enhance learning.
The Green Internship Programme was launched at the AICTE Headquarters in New Delhi with notable dignitaries, including AICTE Chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam and industry leaders from Salesforce India, emphasizing the importance of green practices in education. The initiative aligns with AICTE’s mission to incorporate sustainable practices into education, support institutions in achieving national environmental goals, and prepare a workforce capable of tackling global sustainability challenges.
The programme offers young people a head start in climate-related careers by fostering India’s climate capacity and providing students with practical experience in green technologies and sustainable practices. It serves as a critical platform for students to explore career opportunities in the rapidly growing green economy.