Google partners with Telangana govt to train youth in mobile repair skills

Hyderabad: Google and Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI), along with the Government of Telangana, have started a Mobile Repair Accelerator Program.

The program aims to bridge the skill gap in mobile diagnostics and repair. It also fosters the sustainable practice of the ‘right to repair’ ecosystem.

Training for the future

The program was established under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government to create robust employment opportunities. The curriculum is designed to be rigorous and practical, focusing on:

Device Diagnostics: Identifying hardware and software issues

Component Replacement: Hands-on technical troubleshooting

Data Security: Specialised training on data-erasing software provided by Stellar

Sustainability: Teaching repair practices that extend the life cycles of electronic products.

Early success and placement

The event marked the successful completion of training for three initial batches. The impact of the program is already evident in the data from the first two cohorts:

- 71% Placement Rate: Out of 28 early candidates, the majority have already secured jobs

- Entrepreneurship: Three graduates have leapt to start their own independent service centres

- Diverse Career Paths: Graduates are finding roles as authorised technicians, retail technical representatives, and micro-entrepreneurs

‘Repairable by Design’

Industry leaders emphasised that the program is about more than just technical skills; it is about a global shift toward a circular economy.

“To reach our 10/35 Vision—where by 2035 it is common for electronics to have 10-year lifespans—strong repair ecosystems are vital,” said a representative from SERI.

Google representatives noted that the program aligns with their commitment to ‘Repairable by Design’ products, such as Pixel phones, and supports the growing Right-to-Repair movement in India.

The program is implemented alongside the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) and BRITCO and BRIDCO, who manage the delivery and certification of the training. TSSC noted that industry interest is already high, with enquiries coming in for this new workforce of skilled technicians.

Train 100 junior mobile repair technicians

The program concluded with a ‘live mobile repair competition’ where graduates demonstrated their speed and technical accuracy against the clock.

One graduate noted that the program provided the ‘practical skills and confidence’ necessary to thrive in an industry with ‘massive opportunities’. Ultimately, the initiative aims to train a total of 100 junior mobile repair technicians, providing a scalable model for electronics skilling across India.