Background: The issue of unemployment and the skills gap in India highlights the need for creating jobs and aligning the workforce with industry requirements.
Relevance: GS 3 (Employment, Skill Development)
- Job Creation: India needs 78.5 lakh non-farm jobs annually until 2030.
- Skill Gap: Only 21% of youth (aged 15-29) received vocational/technical training in 2022-23, and just 51% of graduates are employable.
- Industry 4.0 and Skill Demand:
- Technological Shift: Industry 4.0 involves advanced technologies like AI, robotics, IoT, and big data.
- Skill Gap: Only 1.5% of engineers and 60% of the MSME workforce have the necessary digital skills.
- Government Initiatives:
- Support for Industry 4.0: The SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0 initiative aims to prepare the industry, but the skill gap remains significant.
- Focus on Skilling: The 2024-25 Budget emphasizes improving skilling quality and aligning training with industry needs.
Innovative Training Solutions:
- Gamified and Simulation-Based Learning:
- Engaging and Practical: Uses game elements and virtual environments to enhance learning.
- Successful Examples: Adopted in Singapore and Germany.
- Implementation in India:
- Platforms: SWAYAM and Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) can host these training modules.
- Existing Demand: SWAYAM has over 40 million enrollees, indicating strong demand for technical education and training.
