NEW DELHI – Infrastructure major GMR Group has appointed Ashish Sharma as the Chief Executive Officer of its new EdTech venture. Sharma, a seasoned professional in the education technology space, joins from PhysicsWallah (PW), where he served as the Business Head of PW Skills.
Addressing the Aviation Skills Gap
In a statement shared on LinkedIn, Sharma highlighted a critical “people story” within India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector. While the infrastructure growth—projected to reach over 220 airports by 2030—is well-documented, he noted that the training of pilots, engineers, and ground staff has not kept pace with the scale of the industry.
Strategic Advantages for GMR EdTech:
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Industry Integration: Unlike traditional EdTech startups, GMR possesses deep operational stakes in aviation, providing an immediate real-world testing ground.
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Supply-Demand Bridge: The venture aims to solve the widening gap between the surge in aircraft fleets and the availability of certified aviation professionals.
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Scale: Leveraging GMR’s existing infrastructure as a starting point for specialized vocational training.
Experienced Leadership
Ashish Sharma brings a wealth of experience in scaling educational platforms to GMR’s new initiative:
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PhysicsWallah: Previously led the skills division, focusing on employability and technical training.
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upGrad: Served as Vice President, gaining significant experience in the higher education and upskilling segments.
Corporate Vision
The move signals GMR Group’s intent to diversify its portfolio beyond physical infrastructure and into the high-growth “knowledge infrastructure” space. By focusing on ATC specialists, aircraft engineers, and cabin crew training, the group aims to create a captive talent pipeline for the burgeoning Indian aviation market.
The company is expected to roll out its initial phase of specialized courses and institutional partnerships under Sharma’s leadership in the coming quarters.
