A Data-Driven Blueprint for Skilling
“Skills for the Future: Transforming India’s Workforce Landscape” on June 27 in New Delhi. Prepared by the
Institute for Competitiveness (IFC), the report outlines a vision to build
a demand-driven, market-aligned, and outcome-focused skilling ecosystem.
The Minister emphasized the importance of aligning education, vocational training, and industry needs. “Skilling must not remainjust a supply-side effort. It should evolve into a system that reflects industry requirements and labor market realities,” he said.
Key Findings from the Report
- 88% of India’s workforce is employed in low-competency roles.
- Only 10–12% are engaged in high-skill jobs as per PLFS (2023–24).
- Five key sectors account for 66% of vocational training: IT/ITeS, Textile & Apparel, Electronics, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Beauty & Wellness.
- Regional competitiveness analysis has identified high-potential clusters across these sectors.
The analysis leverages data from PLFS, PMKVY 4.0, SSC dashboards, and NAPS.
It presents insights into training patterns, certification rates, and alignment with actual job market needs.
Policy Recommendations
The report proposes a standardized data collection system to assess skill demand, skill gaps, and industry expectations. It advocates for
incentivizing companies that hire skill-certified workers and recommends that businesses take responsibility in developing market-relevant
training modules.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary also suggested the creation of an Employability Index to measure the impact of education and skilling
efforts on job placements and career growth.
Strengthening the Education–Workforce Continuum
Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, emphasized the academic and policy relevance
of skilling. He urged deeper research and the creation of a literature base to understand how skilling transforms lives and economies.
IFC Chair Mr. Amit Kapoor reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the government’s skilling mission through continued research and engagement.
Conclusion
As India gears up for a technology-driven future, building a resilient and agile workforce becomes critical. The new report is a timely
reminder that skilling must become central to India’s development agenda. Integrating data, industry feedback, and targeted interventions
can ensure India’s workforce remains competitive and future-ready.
