Ride-hailing startup Rapido partners with NSDC to boost gig economy opportunities

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has partnered with bike taxi aggregator Rapido to facilitate skill development for gig workers. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between skilling and employability by integrating trained individuals into the gig economy, providing them with both part-time and full-time job opportunities.

This will combine NSDC’s expertise and infrastructure in skilling and training with Rapido’s bike taxi fleet and network to provide sustainable earning opportunities for candidates, accompanied by access to vehicles, skill development programmes, and stable income prospects.

Notably, NSDC will facilitate the identification and mobilisation of candidates, and Rapido will establish a support system for driver partners (captains), including access to two and three-wheelers.

Connecting individuals from extensive training network

NSDC will also support the creation of effective job linkages by connecting individuals from its extensive training network to Rapido’s platform. Additionally, NSDC will co-develop standardised training curricula focused on technical, behavioural, and safety skills, and provide certification under its framework to enhance job readiness and service quality.

The partnership will also see NSDC contributing to regulatory facilitation, branding, and targeted outreach, ensuring that more individuals can access sustainable livelihoods and professional growth through the gig economy.

Providing access to part-time and full-time earning opportunities

Rapido's digital platform will enable candidates to seamlessly access both part-time and full-time earning opportunities through a Captain (Driver)-friendly app and free onboarding process.

The Bengaluru-based startup claims to have facilitated income generation for over five million people, with nearly two million captains earning through its platform every month.

Notably, Rapido’s “Pink Mobility” initiative focused on fostering inclusivity, and provide special benefits to female captains (driver partners) working on the app part time and full time. It is focused on scaling its presence to over 500 cities across the country.

Leadership comments

Commenting on the partnership, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and Managing Director of NSDC International, stated, "At NSDC, our mission is to empower India's workforce with industry-relevant skills and connect them to meaningful earning opportunities. This collaboration is a significant step towards strengthening the gig economy by equipping individuals with the technical, behavioural, and safety skills needed to thrive as driver partners."

"We aim to foster inclusive growth, enhance employability, and ensure that every individual has skills and support to participate in India's evolving mobility sector and broader economy," Tiwari added.

Pavan Guntupalli, Co-Founder of Rapido, remarked: "We are thrilled to partner with NSDC in creating earning opportunities for over half a million driver partners every month. At Rapido, our mission has always been to empower individuals by fostering sustainable livelihoods. Our recently launched Pink Mobility initiative is a reflection of our focus on diversity and dedication to ensuring equal opportunities for women and building a more inclusive mobility ecosystem."

What does NSDC do?

NSDC was established with the objective to catalyse the skilling ecosystem for private sector participation and be the strategic implementation and knowledge partner to Skill India Mission to build efficient vocational training initiatives, empowering India’s youth.

It provides support to enterprises, startups, companies, and organisations that are creating an impact by offering a world of opportunities in futuristic skills to the potential workforce. The organisation develops appropriate models to enhance, support, and coordinate private sector initiatives in skilling by offering funding support to eligible entities, concessional loans to the candidates along with other innovative financial products, and builds strategic partnerships.