What is Indian industry's biggest challenge? Skills gap of youth -- Part IV

By Muqbil Ahmar

India Skills Report suggests that by 2025, more than 250 million of India’s youth would have entered the workforce, while only 5% of that human resource pool would have employability, obtained through formal training. This is despite the fact that new centers of higher education, particularly private colleges, keep mushrooming across India.

Around 15 million youth enter the workforce every year. Of this, over 75 percent are not job ready. On the other hand, India would require 700 million skilled workers by the year 2022 to be able to meet the growing demands of a fast-paced economy. A glaring imbalance is visible and a cause for concern. 

Unemployable youth is Indian industry's conundrum

A Nasscom report says there is a need to re-train up to 1.5 million, or nearly half of the IT sector’s workforce, due to the advent of latest technologies. What this means is that the present generation of college pass-outs are skill deficient and standards have hit rock bottom. The assumption that all colleges actually impart education falls flat; paper credentials are being bought through a fee.

The present case is an entrepreneurial conundrum for the industry because it is the industry which requires skilled manpower. A shortage would only lead to reduced productivity. And this challenge needs to be taken head on. They would have to churn out human resources fit to be employed in their enterprises.

As many as 5,000,000 Indian students graduate every year, of which many are unaware of the basics of their field. What would they do if they are unable to meet the industry’s standards? Around 15 million youth enter the workforce every year. Of this, over 75 percent are not job ready. 

And since it is getting increasingly difficult to find competent employees, some companies are, in fact, resorting to recruiting from abroad or starting training centers to bring potential candidates at par with their requirements. Looking at the alarming situation, a number of corporates are taking steps to ameliorate the situation at the grassroots level by either setting up academies: says Anuj Agarwal of Deskera Education.

Zoho University is also an instance of a profit-making player taking to the education sector in order to train them.

Author Bio: I am a writer, editor, columnist, technology evangelist, tech blogger, film critic, theater activist, journalist, but basically a storyteller and blogger at heart. I also write on social issues, startups, SMEs, technology, environment, economy, women empowerment, and arts and culture. I am also a theater activist. Music, theater, films are my passions. You can visit my blog https://muqbilahmarwordpress.wordpress.com/. I invite bloggers, writers, technology evangelists, and others to connect with me on Twitter @muqbil_ahmar, LinkedIn and Facebook.