Aptech’s Evolution: Empowering Future-Ready Professionals Through Adaptive Education

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr. Atul Jain, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Aptech Limited

Q1. How has Aptech transitioned from computer education to adaptive education to meet modern industry needs?

At Aptech Ltd., we take pride in our ability to anticipate and leverage emerging market trends, enabling us to nurture talent that aligns with the evolving needs of diverse industries. Over the years, we have built expertise in several domains namely IT, animation, VFX, digital design, game design, beauty, and more. With a steadfast focus on learning, training, and enhancing employability, we design programs and courses that cater to students and professionals, including those facing socio-economic barriers to formal education.

Our mission remains clear: to deliver high-quality education and vocational training that equips our youth with the essential skills required for gainful employment. With a network of over 800 centres worldwide, Aptech Ltd. has successfully diversified into multiple sectors, including IT training (Aptech Learning), media and entertainment (Arena Animation and MAAC), beauty and wellness (Lakmé Academy Powered by Aptech), retail and aviation (Aptech Aviation Academy), and more.

Q2. How does Aptech incorporate AI into its skilling tools to enhance student learning?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to redefine the future of education by enabling adaptive learning content and aligning it seamlessly with industry requirements. At Aptech Ltd., we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, integrating advanced AI tools into our classroom activities and projects. This approach empowers our students to explore innovative creative processes and elevate their content creation skills.

As a pioneer in the non-formal vocational training sector, we are proactively embedding AI education into our offerings. For example, our brands – Arena Animation and MAAC, leverage AI tools integrated within the Adobe Suite to enrich the learning experience. However, we also emphasize the importance of individual creativity. At Aptech, we see AI as Assistive Intelligence—a facilitator that aids in conceptualization, ideation, and storyboarding while preserving the unique creativity of each individual.

Q3. What strategies does Aptech employ to ensure students are job-ready and aligned with industry demands?

Our mission has always been to empower individuals with non-formal vocational training, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in the professional world. Our commitment is to ensure that every student is employable and ready for the opportunities ahead. Our approach to building job-ready professionals is anchored on three core pillars:

• Evolving Curriculum:

With a legacy spanning over three and a half decades and more than 7.5 million students trained globally, Aptech continuously adapts its pedagogy to remain industry relevant. By collaborating with industry peers, alumni, and advisory councils, we ensure our curriculum evolves at the pace of technological advancements. Whether it’s integrating Artificial Intelligence into our programs or launching a comprehensive Virtual Production Academy, Aptech has consistently been a first mover and cutting-edge.

• Industry Connect & Alliances:

Aptech not only keep its academic framework aligned with industry requirements but also provides students with internships, practical training, and placement opportunities. Through these opportunities, we ensure our students are equipped with the skills and exposure needed to excel.

• Practical Experiences:

Real-world exposure is critical for preparing students to step confidently into their careers. Through our extensive network of industry partners, we organize workshops, masterclasses, and industry-focused events. For instance, students from Lakmé Academy Powered by Aptech recently showcased their talent at the National Film Development Corporation’s Creative Minds of Tomorrow event, earning accolades in the theatrical beauty segment. These experiences not only sharpen their skills but also instil the confidence required to excel in professional settings. Every student certified by Aptech or its training brands, is well-prepared to meet industry demands and achieve professional excellence.

Q4. How does Aptech maintain consistent quality across its decentralized model in 40 countries?

At Aptech, our decentralized approach enables us to adapt education and training programs to regional needs while maintaining global standards. By aligning offerings with each market’s socio-economic stage—ranging from basic computer education to advanced AI, ML, and ICT—we ensure relevance and long-term impact. For instance, Aptech Computer Education thrives in Africa’s growing economies, such as Nigeria, while brands like MAAC and Arena Animation gain traction in developed markets like Vietnam. While Aptech owns pedagogy and training standards, day-to-day operations are managed by local business partners, leveraging their market insights. This model eliminates geographical constraints, fostering talent development globally and ensuring our students are future ready.

Q5. How do industry partnerships and workshops benefit students’ career readiness at Aptech?

The primary reason for students and their parents to choose Aptech’s institutes is our strong industry network, vocational training expertise and synchronicity with timely and relevant professional norms. Aptech’s students are trained to be excellent professionals from day 1, across media & entertainment, corporates, beauty & retail or travel & aviation sectors. We achieve this through a hybrid mix of classroom learning and practical experiences. Through our industry connect programs and workshops, our students are constantly in touch with industry leaders, former students, and peers, keeping them updated on the know-how. Secondly, we offer live projects at events, a host of internal and national level competitions to test students’ creativity, productivity and the ability to deliver within a stipulated time. All of which, are characteristics of a real-world workplace.

Q6. What role does Aptech’s focus on a skills-over-credentials approach play in reducing missed earning opportunities for students?

At Aptech Ltd., we have identified a significant gap between the aspirations of today’s youth and the opportunities available to them. This is not simply an issue of unemployment but one of skills mismatch. Despite the diversity of backgrounds and educational institutions from which students emerge, companies consistently highlight a talent gap. Aptech’s emphasis on skills over credentials bridges this divide, equipping individuals with the expertise required to meet real-world job demands. Our training programs empower students, especially those from marginalized and diverse backgrounds, to access meaningful opportunities, regardless of their formal educational qualifications.

By aligning our curriculum with industry needs, we address the concerns of recruiters searching for qualified candidates while unlocking the earning potential of young professionals. This holistic approach not only enhances employability but also contributes to economic growth.

Q7. How does Aptech address skill gaps in emerging sectors like multimedia and immersive technologies?

At Aptech Ltd., we address skill gaps in sectors such as multimedia and immersive technologies through our flagship brands—Arena Animation, MAAC (Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity), and The Virtual Production Academy. As India’s AVGC (Animation, VFX, Gaming, and Comics) industry is projected to reach USD 26 billion by 2030 and create over five lakh jobs, we are committed to equipping students and creative professionals with the expertise to seize these opportunities. Our training programs focus on practical, market-relevant skills tailored to the specific demands of the media and entertainment sector. By bridging the gap between talent and industry requirements, we empower learners to build successful careers in multimedia and immersive technologies. In doing so, we not only enable individual growth but also take the industries forward.