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26-July-2024-Special-Article

July 26 @ 7:00 am - 11:30 pm

BRIDGING THE UNEMPLOYMENT-EMPLOYABILITY GAP IN INDIA

India, as the world’s fifth-largest economy, is at a crucial stage in its economic journey. The vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 depends significantly on closing the unemployment-employability gap.

The Union Budget 2024-25 highlights this priority with substantial allocations for education, employment, and skill development. However, the challenge remains daunting, with nearly 73% of workers aged 15-59 lacking any formal or informal vocational training.

Emerging Sectors for Skilling Efforts

Renewable Energy and Green Technologies:

  • Ambition: Achieve a renewable energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030.
  • Job Creation: Over 3.5 million jobs in the sector.
  • Skills Needed: Expertise in solar and wind energy, energy storage technologies, and related fields.
  • Context: As part of India’s sustainable development agenda, this sector is crucial for reducing carbon footprints and promoting green energy solutions.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:

  • Market Projection: AI market in India is expected to reach USD 7.8 billion by 2025.
  • Skills Needed: Data analytics, algorithm development, machine learning.
  • Initiative: The IndiaAI Mission is a step forward, but continuous upskilling is required to keep pace with rapid advancements.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Cities:

  • Market Projection: IoT market anticipated to reach USD 9.28 billion by 2025.
  • Skills Needed: IoT programming, data security, integrated urban planning.
  • Initiative: The Smart Cities Mission aims to develop 100 smart cities, driving the demand for a skilled workforce in this sector.

Electric Vehicles and Sustainable Mobility:

  • Target: 30% electric vehicles on the roads by 2030.
  • Job Creation: Potentially 10 million direct jobs.
  • Skills Needed: Battery technology, charging infrastructure, autonomous systems.
  • Context: This transition is vital for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting down urban pollution.

Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences:

  • Market Projection: Industry expected to reach USD 150 billion by 2025.
  • Skills Needed: Genomics, bioinformatics, vaccine development.
  • Initiative: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of a skilled workforce in this sector.

Space Technology and Satellite Communications:

  • Market Projection: Space economy projected to touch USD 13 billion by 2025.
  • Skills Needed: Satellite design, space debris management, reusable space assets.
  • Context: Opening the sector to private players is creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Cybersecurity:

  • Incident Rate: Over 18 million cyber-attacks in Q1 2022 alone.
  • Skills Needed: Ethical hacking, network security, cyber forensics.
  • Context: As digital transformation accelerates, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated.

3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing:

  • Market Growth: Anticipated CAGR of 20.3% from 2023 to 2030.
  • Skills Needed: CAD modeling, material science, quality control.
  • Context: This technology is revolutionizing manufacturing processes across various industries.

Quantum Computing:

  • Initiative: ₹8,000 crore allocation to the National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications.
  • Skills Needed: Quantum algorithms, cryptography, error correction.
  • Context: This field represents the cutting edge of technological advancement with vast potential applications.

Recent Government Initiatives for Skill Development

  • Skill India Mission: A comprehensive program aiming to train millions of people in different skills.
  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Provides short-term training and recognition of prior learning.
  • SANKALP Scheme: Aims to improve the quality and market relevance of skill development programs.
  • TEJAS Skilling Project: Focuses on skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling initiatives.
  • Model Skill Loan Scheme (Revised): Facilitates loans up to ₹7.5 lakh with government-backed guarantees to benefit 25,000 students annually.

Challenges in India’s Skilling Efforts

Structural Economic Constraints:

  • Informal Sector: Predominance of informal employment (85-90%) and MSMEs.
  • Training Resources: Many MSMEs lack the resources for formal training.
  • Workforce Statistics: Only 4.4% of the young workforce is formally skilled.

Demographic and Geographic Disparities:

  • Skill Variability: Significant differences in employability across states.
  • Urban vs. Rural: Urban centers need high-end tech skills, while rural areas require basic and traditional skills.
  • Migration: Internal migration complicates skill mapping and delivery.

Technological Disruption and Skill Obsolescence:

  • Rapid Change: Fast-paced technological advancements render traditional skills obsolete.
  • Continuous Learning: Need for a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability.

Misalignment with Higher Education System:

  • Disconnect: Lack of integration between academic degrees and vocational training.
  • Training Statistics: Only 4.4% of youth aged 15-29 receive formal vocational/technical training.

Inadequate Focus on Emerging Gig Economy:

  • New Skills: The rise of the gig economy requires self-management, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship skills.
  • Program Orientation: Current skilling programs are still oriented towards traditional employment models.

Evaluation Model Limitations:

  • Funding Models: Prioritize short-term outputs (number of people trained) over long-term outcomes (employment and career progression).
  • Placement Statistics: PMKVY 2.0 trained 1.1 crore people, but only 21.4 lakh were placed.

Challenges in Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

  • Assessment Issues: Inadequate assessment processes for informal skills.
  • Skill Valuation: Undervaluation of existing skill sets.

Measures to Revamp India’s Skilling Efforts

Demand-Driven Skill Mapping and Forecasting:

  • Labor Market System: Implement a real-time system using big data analytics.
  • Collaboration: Work with industry associations for sector-specific data.
  • Forecasts: Provide quarterly skill demand forecasts at national, state, and district levels.

Modular and Stackable Skill Certifications:

  • Certification System: Introduce modular certifications allowing incremental skill acquisition.
  • Credits: Allow learners to accumulate credits over time, leading to higher qualifications.

Integration of Vocational Education in Mainstream Schooling:

  • Curriculum: Introduce vocational subjects from 8th grade.
  • Credit Transfer: Develop a system for credit transfer between vocational and academic streams.
  • Teacher Training: Ensure vocational teachers have industry experience.

Industry-Led Skill Centers of Excellence:

  • Partnerships: Establish centers in partnership with leading companies.
  • Focus: High-end, future-ready skills in emerging sectors.

Gig Economy Preparedness Initiative:

  • Courses: Develop courses on digital platforms, self-management, financial literacy.
  • Registry: Create a gig work registry to formalize and promote gig worker’s social security.

Revamped Apprenticeship Model:

  • Incentives: Offer tax incentives for quality apprenticeships.

Green Skills Integration Program:

  • Modules: Develop ‘green skills’ modules for all sectors.
  • Courses: Create specialized courses for green jobs.

Rural Entrepreneurship through Skill Enhancement (RESE):

  • Skill Hubs: Transform Common Service Centers into Digital Seva Skill Hubs.
  • Support: Provide training, mentorship, microfinancing, and market linkage support.

Train the Trainer Excellence Program:

  • Industry Internships: Mandatory industry internships for trainers.
  • Refresher Courses: Regular refresher courses to update trainers on industry trends.
  • Incentives: Performance-based incentives for trainers.

Integrating Skill Development with MGNREGA:

  • Training Component: Offer skill training as part of the guaranteed employment days.
  • Incentives: Provide additional incentives for acquiring new skills through the program.

Conclusion:

To bridge the unemployment-employability gap and harness its demographic dividend, India must focus on emerging sectors, leverage government initiatives, and address challenges through targeted measures. Effective skill development will play a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic future and realizing its potential as a global economic powerhouse.

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Date:
July 26
Time:
7:00 am - 11:30 pm
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