The Exclusive Program Aims to Train Students in AI Skills to Help Build a Future-Ready American Workforce
Tata Consultancy Services has unveiled its new TCS My First AI Job skills training program in partnership with the University of Cincinnati and Salesforce. The program is designed to provide students with skills certification in AI solutions, paid work experience, and a pathway to full-time roles at TCS upon graduation.
Designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and workforce readiness, the new TCS My First AI Job program offers final-year students an intensive, three-month curriculum covering key technical, communication, and employability skills required in today’s competitive marketplace. Through a combination of hands-on projects, mentorship, global certifications, and practice interviews, the program will help students develop skills that align with current industry and client requirements and match specific roles in TCS’ talent pipeline.
Amit Bajaj, President – North America, TCS, said, “In keeping with its aspiration of becoming the world’s largest AI-led technology services company, TCS is committed to building a pipeline of AI jobs in the heartland of America by helping students graduate with industry-ready AI skills that are in high demand. Building on our longstanding partnerships with the University of Cincinnati and Salesforce, we are designing a blueprint for the AI jobs of the future that will make U.S. companies more innovative and competitive. We are proud to launch this in Cincinnati, home of our new North America Salesforce Center of Excellence—where customer proximity meets scaled talent.”
Hazem Said, Professor & Director, School of Information Technology, University of Cincinnati, said, “Companies increasingly expect entry-level job seekers to hit the ground running with practical AI skills they can put to use on day one. It is exciting to be at the vanguard of collaborating with a technology industry pioneer to build pathways to success for tomorrow’s AI leaders. I believe that we are creating a model that will help redefine the value of a university education.”
Meredith Nabavi, Director, Workforce Development Partnerships, Salesforce, said, “The combination of TCS, the University of Cincinnati and Salesforce will create an industry-ready local workforce that will not only accelerate client outcomes, but help build the AI careers of recent university graduates.”
As part of the collaboration, TCS, the University of Cincinnati and Salesforce will jointly develop a world-class Salesforce certification curriculum for the TCS My First AI Job program. It will include a curated, industry-focused Salesforce course that offers undergraduate students an opportunity to join a fall co-op to provide full-time undergraduate students with professional training and hands-on experience working at TCS.
By alternating academic study with paid, practical, on‑the‑job training, the program will prepare students for potential employment opportunities at TCS. Additionally, by enabling the certification pathway to serve as an extended, real‑world assessment, the program increases the likelihood of students securing roles in a more timely manner. At the same time, employers such as TCS will benefit from the ability to swiftly integrate new hires into client projects, thereby achieving time and cost efficiencies while supporting employees’ long‑term professional growth.
The new program aligns with TCS’ focus on developing and recruiting local talent. The company is actively investing in industry‑specific Salesforce capabilities to meet the evolving needs of its U.S. clients as they transform their businesses using AI technologies. TCS recently inaugurated the Salesforce Center of Excellence at its Global Delivery Center in Milford, Ohio, its largest delivery center in the United States. This Center of Excellence reflects TCS’ commitment to customer‑centric innovation, AI‑driven talent development, and deeper collaboration across its partner ecosystem. In addition, TCS recently acquired two U.S.-based consulting firms, Coastal Cloud and ListEngage, to strengthen its position in the Salesforce ecosystem and reinforce its long‑standing commitment to customers in North America.
