Walmart-owned Flipkart, an e-commerce platform, has signed an agreement with the Logistics Skill Sector Council (LSC) and Karnataka Skill Development Centre (KSDC) to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

Spread across 1,500 sq ft, the centre is equipped with new-age classrooms equipped with computers and offers projector-based learning to train aspirants interested in working in the logistics industry across sectors like storage and distribution, customer management, and material handling.

Extensive training modules have been developed by Flipkart in collaboration with LSC and KSDC, to train candidates on the various nuances of storage and distribution, customer management, and material handling. The training also covers the necessary soft skills required to interact with customers and knowledge on local transportation laws and regulations and giving students holistic knowledge of the end-to-end supply chain, the statement said.

Karnataka Kaushalya Mission, which is part of the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Karnataka Government, and LSC is helping mobilise aspirants for the CoE.

In addition to the training, selected candidates will also get an opportunity to join a 60-day apprenticeship programme with Flipkart under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme to work on various aspects of a supply chain and expand their employment prospects in the e-commerce sector.

Upon successful completion of the training, candidates will be awarded certification under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSFQ), which is equivalent to an undergraduate degree. This certificate is recognised across seven countries including, Australia, Denmark, Germany and Saudi Arabia.

Amitesh Jha, Senior Vice-President and Head of Ekart, said, "We understand the importance of having a trained workforce for the long-term sustainability of the logistics industry. We are also cognisant of our responsibility towards the workforce to create further employment opportunities and ensure career progression through such initiatives."

Captain T S Ramanujam, Chairman of Logistics Skill Sector Council, said, "The logistics industry is one of the largest employers in the country with over 40 million people employed in the supply chain, but faces the shortage of skilled manpower to meet the growing demand. Our first-of-its-kind industry partnership with Flipkart is a bright step towards bringing industry acceptability and employment to the unskilled workforce."