Social Panga and upGrad launch on-field digital marketing immersion program

Edtech platform upGrad has partnered with integrated creative and digital marketing agency Social Panga to organise a two-day on-field immersion training. It is targeted at students of MICA Ahmedabad who are pursuing ‘Advanced digital marketing and communications certification’.

Set to begin in July 2024 in Bengaluru, this initiative will cover cities like Delhi and Mumbai in August and September, respectively. upGrad stated that the sessions have been tailored to facilitate face-to-face interactions with industry experts who can offer immediate feedback on their ideas.

Himanshu Arora, co-founder of Social Panga and The Yellow Shutter

According to findings presented in the latest Pearson Skills Outlook report, there exists a noticeable disparity between conventional educational approaches and the evolving requirements of today's job market. Numerous employers express concerns regarding the mismatch between the qualifications possessed by graduates and the practical skills essential for their respective workplaces.

This underscores the pressing necessity for the implementation of upskilling programs across India, especially in the marketing and creative fields. It comes in light of findings of another Teamlease survey, which predicted that in terms of workforce expansion, marketing will emerge as the top function with a 70% growth rate. A hands-on approach is required to refine learners’ skills and establish a robust foundation for their sustained success in the digital marketing field.

“Experiential learning is witnessing high demand from professionals and freshers alike due to its interactive nature—also allowing them to engage in authentic environments. We have developed a reverse-engineered pedagogy with MICA Ahmedabad to ensure that the skills learned during the program reciprocate market needs. Therefore, this inclusive add-on will only propel accurate learning and stronger applied training,” said Mayank Kumar, co-founder and managing director of upGrad. 

Mayank Kumar, co-founder and managing director of upGrad

The upskilling platform has seen its YoY sign-ups remain robust in FY24. It claimed that a learner signs up for digital marketing programs on its platform every 10 minutes, and it expects this number to soar. 

Commenting on the partnership, Himanshu Arora, co-founder of Social Panga and The Yellow Shutter, “Through this initiative, we aim to give back to our industry and cultivate future talent. MICA has a history of producing exceptional talent, with some of them now part of our team at Panga. We hope to enhance this collaboration by sharing our extensive industry experience gained from working with top brands.”

Apart from gaining exposure and recognition for their problem-solving skills, this training fosters mentorship connections and builds valuable networks, enriching the learning journey for enhanced outcomes. Learners also gain insights into potential career paths and first-hand experience in understanding the corporate culture. Upon successful completion, they would receive a joint certificate issued by upGrad and Social Panga, validating their training in digital marketing and artificial intelligence AI.