Navigating India’s Skill Landscape

Syllabus: GS2/Government Policy & Intervention; GS3/Economy

Context

• India faces a significant challenge in bridging the gap between the skills of its workforce and the demands of the industry despite a comprehensive institutional and policy framework for training and skilling.

India’s Workforce Potential

• India has a significant proportion of its population under the age of 35, with the working-age population (15-59 years) expected to grow from 62% to 68% by 2030.
• The India Skill Report 2023 highlights a promising employability rate of 48% among Indian graduates in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) roles. It indicates a robust talent pool in cutting-edge technology sectors.

Need/Importance of Skilling in India

• Bridging the Employment Gap: According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, India needs to create 78.5 lakh new jobs annually in the non-farm sector until 2030 to meet the demands of its rising workforce.
• Enhancing Employability: The Chief Economic Advisor recently noted that only 51% of India’s graduates are employable. It underscores the need for skilling initiatives that align educational outcomes with industry needs.
• Low Reach and Quality of Training Programs: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2022-23, only 21% of Indian youth aged 15-29 years have received vocational or technical training, with a mere 4.4% having received formal vocational training.
• Adapting to Industry 4.0: It necessitates a workforce equipped with new-age skills that can cater the needs of Industry 4.0 such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, and big data into manufacturing processes.
  • Over two-thirds of Indian manufacturers are expected to embrace digital transformation by 2025.
  • However, only 1.5% of Indian engineers currently possess the skills required for these new-age jobs.
• Supporting Rural Development: With a significant portion of the population residing in rural areas, providing vocational training can help reduce migration to urban centers and support local economies.

Leveraging Workforce To Meet Global Skill Standards

• International Collaborations: India is partnering with countries like Australia, the UAE, and the UK to recognize and align its skill standards with global benchmarks.
  • These collaborations help in creating a workforce that is globally competitive.
• Skill India International Centers (SIIC): These centers aim to provide training that meets international standards, ensuring that Indian workers are equipped with the skills needed for global job markets.
• Digital Platforms: The launch of the Skill India Digital platform aims to integrate skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship, making it easier for individuals to acquire and upgrade their skills.

Institutional and Policy Frameworks Related to Skilling in India

• National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: It provides an umbrella framework for all skilling activities across the country, aligning them to common standards and linking them with demand centers.
  • It emphasizes the need for a skilled workforce to drive economic growth and social development.
• National Skill Development Mission: It aims to create convergence across sectors and States in terms of skill training activities.
  • It focuses on scaling up skill training efforts to meet the demands of employers and drive economic growth. 
  • It includes various components such as institutional mechanisms, mission strategy, and financing.
• Sector Skill Councils (SSCs): It has been established to ensure industry-relevant skills.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): It is a flagship scheme under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It aims to enable a large number of Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skill training.
  • It provides short-term training, recognition of prior learning, and special projects to cater to the diverse skilling needs of the country.
  • It focuses on providing training in new-age skills and re-skilling existing workers.
• Skill India Digital Hub Platform: It incorporates various government initiatives and services such as eShram/EPFO, Udyam, DigiLocker, GatiShakti, UMANG, AgriStack, PLI Schemes, and One District One Product (ODOP), etc.

Innovative Approach

• SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0: It aims to promote the adoption of digital technologies in industries
  • India can consider incorporating gamified and simulation-based learning modules into its skilling programs that can make learning more engaging, improve skill acquisition, and better align training content with industry needs.
    • Gamified learning can make the training process more engaging and enjoyable, thereby improving knowledge retention and skill acquisition.
    • Simulation-Based Learning uses virtual environments to mimic real-world scenarios, allowing learners to practice and apply skills in a safe and controlled setting.
  • The SWAYAM and Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), the two online platforms for skill education and training initiated by the Indian government, can host the gamified and simulation training module. 
• Initiatives like the ‘Skills On Wheel’ program aim to bring training opportunities directly to rural youth, enabling them to secure employment within their communities.

Source: TH