Continuing with the strategy of former chief executive Vishal Sikka of hiring over 10,000 local workers in the US, Infosys looks to deepen relationship with clients and deliver digital services that need local resources. So far, it has hired over 1,200 local workers in the US.

The centre will occupy 60,000 square feet in the new Raleigh facility, which will be able to house 500 workers. The first 500 workers will be hired within two years, and the remainder by 2021, said the information technology bellwether.

“The North Carolina Technology and Innovation Hub is part of Infosys’ investment in the future of the US tech workforce and will focus on delivering cutting-edge solutions in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data and advanced analytics, cloud and big data,” said Ravi Kumar, president and deputy chief operating officer, Infosys.

The firm is replicating its successful India model in the US of hiring fresh college graduates, training them in an intensive course and deputing them on projects, it said.

The new hires in North Carolina will include recent graduates from the state’s network of colleges, universities and community colleges, as well as local professionals.

As part of Infosys’ commitment to create 2,000 jobs in the state, the company is partnering with the North Carolina Community College System to create a customised program designed to train the workforce.

“Innovation, technology, and education are part of who we are as North Carolinians, and along the course of this project, Infosys leaders have found that to be the case every step of the way,” said Governor Roy Cooper.

Besides the skill enhancing initiatives, IT major’s charitable foundation, Infosys Foundation has provided multiple grants in North Carolina for classroom technology and computer science training to teachers and schools. To date, these grants have benefited 4,220 students across 82 schools, involving 92 teachers, it said.