Latest Request for Proposals - Market Research: AI Impact, Employability, and Career Outcomes among Tier 2 and Tier 3 Learners in India

Opportunity International EduFinance (EduFinance), through its Education Financial Products (EFP) programme, is seeking proposals from qualified market research firms or consultants to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on employability, career outcomes, and vocational skilling pathways among learners in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India. This research will provide actionable market insights to support sustainable, employability-linked education lending strategies.

The assignment will assess how AI and broader labour market trends are reshaping job roles, skills demand, employability prospects, and career pathways, particularly for learners pursuing vocational, technical, and professional training. These findings will support strategic decisions on loan product design, employability-linked risk assessment, institutional partnerships, and future market expansion.

The study aims to:

• Assess how AI is influencing employability, job roles, and skills demand across key education and employment sectors.
• Understand learner preferences regarding AI-related courses, placement outcomes, salary trends, and career trajectories among graduates in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
• Identify future-ready skills, programmes, and learner segments that are likely to remain resilient in an AI-enabled labour market.
• Evaluate opportunities and risks associated with different vocational skilling pathways and their implications for education financing.
• Translate findings into practical recommendations for loan product strategy, underwriting, and institutional partnerships.

Sample Population / Target Market

The research will focus on:

• Learners and graduates from vocational training programmes in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India with analysis incorporating national, industry-specific, and international evidence where relevant.
• Vocational skilling pathways only; higher education programmes are explicitly excluded from the scope of the study.
• Training institutions, employers, placement ecosystems, and workforce development stakeholders relevant to employability and education financing.

Key Deliverables

The selected research firm will deliver:

• Inception report and analytical framework.
• Secondary research summary.
• Interim findings presentation.
• Final report.
• Clean datasets and supporting documentation.
• Methodological annex.

Expected Outputs

The research is expected to produce:

• Employability Risk Matrix identifying resilient and vulnerable skilling pathways over the next 3–5 years.
• Employability-Linked Underwriting Signals to strengthen lending and risk assessment processes.
• Partnership Roadmap highlighting priority institutions, employers, and ecosystem partners.
• Strategic Recommendations for product design, risk management, and expansion planning.
• Executive Decision Matrix to guide investment prioritisation and portfolio growth decisions.

Timeline

Proposal Submission Deadline: 6 July 2026.

Project timelines and implementation schedule will be finalised jointly with the selected consultant following contract award.

More information on the background and approach can be found in the attached document.