What Additional Skill Acquisition Programme does

ASAP Kerala (Additional Skill Acquisition Programme) is a Government of Kerala undertaking incorporated as a Section 8 non-profit company under the Companies Act, 2013, headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram. The organization delivers skill development training to Kerala's youth and working professionals, with cumulative throughput reported at approximately 274,449 students across 19 sectors and more than 150 courses. Operations are anchored by a network of 16-17 Community Skill Parks (CSPs) spread across the state, complemented by digital learning platforms that enable modular, short-duration course completion. The organization partners with 1,470+ industry and academic institutions to support curriculum design, internships, and placements.

The business model blends state budgetary allocations — its primary funding source as a state public sector undertaking — with course fees ranging from INR 2,000 to INR 64,500 depending on duration and depth. The customer base is predominantly individual B2C learners, while employer partnerships function as a placement channel rather than a direct revenue source. The program carries NCVET dual recognition (granted 2022, renewed 2025), ISO 21001:2018 quality certification, and authorization under the Ministry of External Affairs overseas recruitment framework, lending regulatory and quality credentials to its qualifications.

Recent strategic activity indicates a broadening scope beyond Kerala: a Skill India International Network Center designation (2023), a transnational partnership with BSI Learning Australia, an IISER partnership for data science skilling, and the launch of emerging-technology courses including Generative AI and Cybersecurity. The expansion strategy positions ASAP Kerala as a state-level skilling exporter alongside its domestic mandate, though expansion pace remains tied to government policy and funding cycles.

Name

Additional Skill Acquisition Programme

Legal name

Additional Skill Acquisition Programme Kerala

Website

https://asapkerala.gov.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Skill Development & Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH), Career & Technical Education (CTE) Standards Authorities (EDADAEAE), Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT) (EDANAIAB)

Keywords

• Skill development training
• Vocational education programs
• Employment readiness services
• Community skill training
• Career placement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Thiruvananthapuram

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: ASAP Kerala is a State Public Sector Undertaking fully owned by Government of Kerala under Higher Education Department. Core operations are funded by government budgetary allocations.
2. Course Fees: Students pay course fees ranging from INR 2,000 to INR 64,500 for various skill development programs. Fee payment options include one-time payment, installment plans, and skill loans.
3. Skill Loans: Partnership with banks (Canara Bank, Kerala Bank, SBI, HDFC) to provide skill loans enabling students to finance their training, with fees collected through bank partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ASAP Kerala is a Government of Kerala undertaking that delivers industry-aligned vocational skill training across 19 sectors (IT-ITeS, Healthcare, Banking & Finance, Media & Entertainment, Automotive, Electric Vehicle, Aviation, Agriculture, etc.) through 150+ courses, 16 Community Skill Parks (CSPs), and the ASAP ACE online learning platform. Courses range from entry-level certificates (INR 2,000) to advanced professional and internationally aligned certifications (up to INR 64,500), with placement support via the Careerlink portal, ASPIRE placement drives, and partnerships with employers including EY, UST Global, Wipro, TCS, and L&T. The organization operates as an NCVET-recognized Awarding Body and Assessment Agency with ISO 21001:2018 certification.

Product overview

ASAP Kerala operates as a multi-faceted skill development ecosystem under the Kerala Government. The core offerings include 150+ skill training courses across 19 contemporary sectors delivered through a network of 17 Community Skill Parks (CSP) and the ASAP ACE online learning platform. Programs range from entry-level certificate courses to advanced professional training in AI/ML, cybersecurity, data science, and specialized vocational skills. The ecosystem integrates placement support through Careerlink and ASPIRE placement drives, financial assistance via skill loan partnerships with major banks, and specialized initiatives like Centre of Excellence and Nareechakra. The platform serves students from Plus Two level through graduate and working professionals, offering both classroom-based and online/hybrid delivery modes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Community Skill Parks (CSP): Skill training facilities across Kerala including CSP Vizhinjam, CSP Kazhakkoottam, CSP Kulakkada, CSP Kunnamthanam, CSP Pampady, CSP Cheriya Kalavoor, CSP Kalamassery, CSP Perumbavoor, CSP Kunnamkulam, CSP Chathanoor, CSP Lakkidi, CSP Pandikkad, CSP Thavanur, CSP Mananthavady, CSP Palayad, and CSP Kasaragod.

Products and services

• Skill Training Courses (19 Sectors)

Quantifiable outcome

• 274,449 students trained through ASAP programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, support and strategic.

• UST GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor placement partner for ASAP Kerala graduates. Multiple students placed as software developers, testers, and engineers at UST Global through placement drives and course-to-career pathways.
• EYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlacements of Enrolled Agent program graduates as Tax Analysts and cybersecurity professionals at EY GDS. Major employer partner for ASAP's finance and technology programs.
• WiprocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlacement partner for AWS Cloud Foundation and other IT course graduates. Multiple students placed as Project Engineers at Wipro.
• TCScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor IT services employer partner for ASAP Kerala graduates across various technology programs.
• L&TcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlacement partner for engineering graduates. Students placed at L&T Technology Services and L&T Power and Distribution through ASPIRE placement drives.
• Canara BanksupportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSkill loan provider for ASAP Kerala courses. Offers financing options for students to pay course fees.
• Kerala BanksupportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSkill loan provider enabling students to finance their skill development training through ASAP Kerala.
• SBIsupportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState Bank of India skill loan partnership for course fee financing.
• HDFC BanksupportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHDFC Bank skill loan option for ASAP course fee payments.
• NATPACstrategicTechnology or IntegrationNational Transportation Planning and Research Centre developed the Road Construction Engineer course curriculum. KSCSTE institution focusing on multi-modal transportation research.
• NSDC IISCstrategicTechnology or IntegrationNational Skill Development Corporation International Skills Campus designation. ASAP Kerala designated as Skill India International Network Center in 2023.
• NCVETstrategicTechnology or IntegrationNational Council for Vocational Education and Training recognition. ASAP Kerala holds dual recognition as Awarding Body and Assessment Agency.
• BSI Learning AustraliastrategicTechnology or IntegrationTransnational education partner for Certificate IV in Cyber Security - Australian AQF aligned qualification delivered in partnership.
• IISER ThiruvananthapuramstrategicTechnology or IntegrationIndian Institute of Science Education and Research partnership for Advanced Course in Data Science. Practical sessions conducted at IISER campus.
• L&T EdutechsupportTechnology or IntegrationTraining partner for Python for Data Management course.
• Techgentsia Software TechnologiessupportTechnology or IntegrationTraining partner for Full Stack Development using Java Spring Boot course.
• NeST Digital AcademysupportTechnology or IntegrationTraining partner for Industry Immersion Program in Embedded Systems.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Amity Skills: Amity Skills offers vocational and skill-development programs aligned with NSQF and employer demand. It is comparable to ASAP Kerala in offering multiple sector-specific certification programs with a placement-support model.
• TeamLease Skills University: TeamLease Skills University focuses on vocational and skill-based higher education with strong employer linkage for placements. It is comparable to ASAP Kerala in employer-driven curriculum design and placement-led outcomes.
• Pratham Education Foundation: Pratham is one of India's largest non-government skill and education organizations offering vocational training to youth across multiple states. It is comparable in scale (millions trained), target segment (youth employability), and use of partner networks for delivery.
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): NSDC is the umbrella public-private organization for skill development in India and oversees a network of training partners and Sector Skill Councils. ASAP Kerala operates within the NSDC ecosystem and holds NSDC IISC International Skills Center designation, making NSDC the closest structural peer.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): PMKVY is the central government's flagship short-term skill training scheme that also certifies trainees through NSQF-aligned standards. It is directly comparable to ASAP Kerala in mission, target beneficiaries (youth), NCVET-aligned certification approach, and placement-driven outcomes.
• IL&FS Skills Development Corporation: IL&FS Skills is a large-scale vocational training organization operating across multiple Indian states with sector-specific skill programs. It is comparable in offering breadth (multiple trades and professional skills), NSQF alignment, and employer placement partnerships.
• Centurion University of Technology and Management: Centurion University integrates vocational and technical education with a strong skill-development focus and rural outreach. It is comparable to ASAP Kerala in its hands-on skill training approach and employer-connected curriculum model.

Broad incumbents

• upGrad: upGrad is a major private online higher-education and upskilling platform offering professional certificates in IT, data science, and management. It is broadly comparable in target learner (working professionals and graduates seeking jobs) but with a premium online-only model and nationwide reach that ASAP cannot match.
• NIIT: NIIT is a long-established IT training and skills development company offering corporate and individual training programs across India. It is comparable in IT-focused skill training and certification, but operates as a commercial entity with national and international reach.
• Simplilearn: Simplilearn is a leading private professional training provider focused on digital skills and certifications in partnership with universities and tech companies. It is comparable to ASAP Kerala's IT-ITES and certification-driven course portfolio but operates as a commercial entity with broader geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/asap_kerala
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/ASAPKeralaOfficialChannel
• Facebookfacebook.com/asapthalassery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asapkerala
• Instagraminstagram.com/asapkerala

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Additional Skill Acquisition Programme