Scholars Merit, a forward-thinking online platform, addresses this challenge through its innovative i-merit program. Designed to equip students and early-career professionals with both technical expertise and soft skills, i-merit prepares participants to meet the demands of top corporations in India and abroad.
This comprehensive program blends job-oriented training with specialized mock interviews, ensuring that graduates are not only proficient in high-end technologies but also adept at navigating corporate culture. In this interview, we explore the vision behind i-merit, the program’s unique approach to skills development, and its potential to reshape the future of education and employability.
Sumit Shukla, the CEO of Scholars Merit, is focused on changing the way students prepare for their careers. With years of experience in the industry, Sumit understands the gap between what students learn in school and what employers expect in the workplace. He has played a key role in developing the i-merit program, which helps students gain the practical skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. Under his leadership, Scholars Merit is making a real difference by giving students the training and tools they need to build strong, successful careers.
What inspired the creation of i-merit, and how does it fit into the broader mission of ScholarsMerit?
The i-merit program, developed by Scholars Merit, a dynamic online platform committed to fostering holistic growth in the education and professional spheres of an individual, is designed to enhance job compatibility for students and early-career professionals by aligning them with corporate culture and individual growth aspirations. The program offers specialized training in high-end technology areas and mock interview sessions to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge for quick placements in top corporations both in India and abroad.
The i-merit program is divided into two primary components:
Job Oriented Training Programs:
These programs provide comprehensive training in various technology fields and corporate culture, helping candidates gain a competitive edge.
iQuest Interview Platform:
As part of the i-merit offerings, this platform helps students acquire a competitive advantage by preparing them for interviews through specialized mock interview sessions.
The overarching goal of the i-merit program is to ensure that participants are well-prepared to meet the demands of the corporate world, ultimately leading to successful and swift job placements.
How does i-merit address the gap between academic learning and market-ready skills?
The i-merit program aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by addressing the critical issue of employability. Many companies are reducing their intake of generic freshers due to the lack of practical, job-ready skills, leaving numerous graduates either jobless or forced to accept roles that do not align with their aspirations or field of study. This issue extends beyond freshers, as employed individuals often lack the necessary skills to advance in their careers, leading to job instability and frequent changes.
i-merit provides a solution to these challenges by offering a program designed by industry veterans who have a deep understanding of market demands and industry requirements. The program includes hands-on training in high-end technology areas, specialized mock interview sessions, and insights into corporate culture. This comprehensive approach ensures that fresh and lateral graduates are better prepared to meet employment challenges, making them more attractive to potential employers and enabling them to build stable, successful careers. By aligning its training with real-world industry needs, i-merit helps participants transition smoothly from academia to the professional world.
What are the key components of i-merit’s approach to skills development, and how do they align with current market demands?
The i-merit program is built around six essential pillars of success, designed to equip students with a comprehensive skill set that meets evolving market demands. These pillars are:
General Knowledge: The program emphasizes the importance of a broad understanding of various subjects, ensuring that students are well-rounded and informed about global and industry-specific trends and developments.
Attitude: Developing a positive and proactive attitude is crucial for success in the professional world. The program focuses on nurturing the right mindset, including resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and grow.
Education: While theoretical knowledge forms the foundation, i-merit enhances traditional education with practical, real-world applications, ensuring that students can effectively apply what they have learned in their studies.
Industry Knowledge: Understanding the specific demands and dynamics of the industry is key to career success. The program provides insights into industry practices, standards, and expectations, helping students to align their skills and knowledge with what employers are looking for.
Technical Skills: Mastery of relevant technical skills is a core component of the i-merit program. This includes training in high-end technology areas, ensuring that students are proficient in the tools and technologies that are in demand in their chosen fields.
Soft Skills: Effective communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills are essential for professional success. The program places a strong emphasis on developing these soft skills, which are critical for building relationships, collaborating with colleagues, and navigating the workplace effectively.
By focusing on these six pillars, the i-merit program aims to produce well-rounded, job-ready graduates who are equipped to meet the challenges of the modern professional environment and succeed in their careers.
The i-merit program adapts to the evolving needs of both students and employers by offering a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes practical skills and real-world applications. Designed to challenge students and ensure deep engagement with the material, the program equips graduates to be job-ready from day one. Additionally, i-merit offers a second opportunity for students to refine their skills, ensuring they are thoroughly prepared and aligned with current market demands. This approach not only prepares students to meet industry expectations but also ensures they are well-equipped to adapt to the changing needs of employers.
What challenges have you encountered in bridging the gap between education and employment, and how has i-merit overcome them?
One of the key challenges we’ve faced in implementing our educational initiatives at i-merit is ensuring that our diverse range of programs cater effectively to varying skill levels and career aspirations. Providing job-assured and advanced-level programs like the Advanced Certificate Program in Full Stack Development (MS Tech) and advanced data science programs requires constant adaptation to the rapidly evolving tech industry.
To overcome this, we have collaborated closely with industry experts to design our curriculum, ensuring it stays relevant and up-to-date. Another challenge has been maintaining the balance between offering comprehensive training in advanced areas like full stack and web development while also providing foundational courses in programming languages, web development, database fundamentals, and CRM fundamentals.
To address this, we’ve implemented a structured approach where students can gradually progress from basic to advanced levels, thereby building a strong foundational knowledge before moving on to more complex subjects. Additionally, we ensure continuous feedback from both students and industry professionals to refine and improve our programs. This iterative process has enabled us to offer high-quality education that meets the needs of our students and prepares them for successful careers in the tech industry.
What role do industry veterans play in shaping i-merit’s curriculum, and how does their expertise benefit students?
Industry veterans play a crucial role in designing the i-merit curriculum, led by Sumit Shukla, Chairman of the i-merit Steering Committee, along with a seven-member team, each with 10-15 years of experience. Their roles are strategically divided into functional, techno-functional, and architectural domains, bringing diverse expertise to the program. These experts ensure the curriculum covers essential business processes, integrates technical skills with functional applications, and includes advanced technology training. Their real-world experience and ongoing involvement ensure the curriculum remains relevant, up-to-date, and aligned with industry needs, providing students with practical skills and knowledge for successful careers.
How do you envision the future of i-merit and its impact on the job market in the coming years?
By offering courses that combine traditional academics with vocational training, particularly in emerging fields like AI and data science, Scholars Merit can ensure that students are not just academically proficient but also job-ready. The platform can bridge the gap between education and employment, fostering a workforce that is equipped to meet the demands of the future.
Can you share your vision for integrating educational technology and social initiatives within the broader context of i-merit’s mission?
The vision for integrating educational technology and social initiatives within the broader context of i-merit’s mission is to create a comprehensive platform that not only enhances job readiness but also addresses broader social challenges. i-merit is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world skills, and integrating advanced educational technology plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.
Educational technology will be leveraged to provide interactive, personalized learning experiences that cater to individual needs and learning styles. By incorporating tools like AI-driven learning platforms, virtual simulations, and data analytics, i-merit aims to offer dynamic training programs that keep pace with evolving industry standards and technological advancements. This approach ensures that participants gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and methodologies, preparing them effectively for the modern workforce.
In addition to technology integration, i-merit is committed to aligning its initiatives with social impact goals. The program will focus on addressing critical employment gaps highlighted by recent studies, such as the high unemployment rates among young graduates. By offering targeted training and support, i-merit aims to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented communities, thereby contributing to more equitable job opportunities.
The integration of social initiatives will also include partnerships with organizations and industries to facilitate internships, mentorships, and job placements. These collaborations will help create pathways for graduates to enter the job market and advance in their careers. Furthermore, i-merit will emphasize soft skills development, such as communication and emotional intelligence, which are essential for success in today’s professional environment.
The i-merit program stands as a vital bridge between academic education and industry readiness, ensuring students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of today’s job market. By integrating practical technical training, essential soft skills, and valuable industry insights, i-merit equips participants to not only secure employment but also excel in their careers.
With its focus on innovation and real-world application, the program is set to make a lasting impact on the future of education and employability. As i-merit continues to grow, it promises to shape a more skilled and adaptable workforce, driving positive change in both students’ lives and the broader job market.
