Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Schemes related to skill development;
Mains level: Issues related to skill development;
Why in the News?
In an address, the Prime Minister expressed hope that India’s skilled workforce would make a significant impact in the global job market.
What factors contribute to India’s potential as a leading global supplier of skilled workers?
- Demographic Advantage: India has a large and youthful population, with approximately 554 million individuals aged between 15 and 64 years, providing a substantial workforce to meet global demands for skilled labour.
- Government Initiatives: The Indian government has launched various programs aimed at enhancing skill development, such as the Skill India Programme, which allocates significant budgetary resources for training youth and creating internship opportunities in collaboration with major companies.
- Growing Global Demand: There is an increasing demand for skilled workers in sectors like IT, healthcare, construction, and logistics across regions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Europe, and North America due to demographic shifts and technological advancements.
- International Agreements: India has entered into multiple bilateral agreements with countries like Japan and France to facilitate the mobility of skilled workers, which enhances its position in the global labour market.
How is India preparing its workforce to meet global skill demands?
- Skill Training Programs: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is committed to providing future-ready skills training that aligns with global standards.
- This includes initiatives for vocational training through a network of over 15,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country.
- Curriculum Development: There is a focus on integrating globally relevant skills into educational curricula. This involves reorienting skill programs at International Skill Centres to address the specific needs of destination countries.
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes a holistic approach to education that includes critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy.
- Real-Time Skill Forecasting: India is encouraged to utilise data analytics to assess job vacancies and skill needs in real-time, allowing for a more responsive approach to skill development that aligns with international labour market demands.
- Customised Training Initiatives: The development of short-term skill training programs tailored for specific countries helps prepare Indian workers for international job markets effectively.
What are the initiatives taken by the Government for skill development in India?
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What challenges does India face in becoming a global skill hub?
- Fragmented Policy Structure: India’s current policy framework for international labour mobility is fragmented and lacks comprehensive strategies based on robust data. The existing data primarily covers low-skilled workers, limiting effective policy formulation.
- Inadequate Data on Migration Trends: The reliance on limited data sources for tracking migrant labour outflows hampers the ability to create evidence-based policies that can effectively address the needs of both Indian workers and foreign employers.
- Underutilisation of Return Migrants’ Skills: There is a significant gap in effectively reintegrating return migrants into the Indian labour market. The skills acquired abroad are often not recognized or accredited, leading to lost opportunities for both the individuals and the economy.
- Quality of Skill Development: While there are numerous initiatives underway, there remains a need to elevate the quality of skill development programs to meet international standards, ensuring that Indian workers are competitive in the global market.
Way forward:
- Unified Skill Mobility Policy: Implement a comprehensive, data-driven national framework for international labour migration, emphasizing skill forecasting, certification, and seamless reintegration of return migrants.
- Global Standards Alignment: Upgrade skill development programs to meet international benchmarks, incorporating customised training for destination-specific needs and emerging global industries.
Mains PYQ:
Q “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (UPSC IAS/2016)
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