Youth Skill Development for a Brighter Future!

India has the youngest population across the world with over 50% people below 25 years in age. It is indeed a great opportunity and predominantly a challenge: to prepare this massive emerging workforce for an uncertain future. The preparation includes one major aspect: skill development which would endow youth with requisite knowledge and practical proficiency for the job. If India focuses on this skill development, it could easily prove that the youth are not only employable but also self-reliant.

Skill development programs acts as an important bridge between education and employment, thus empowering the youth with an active participatory role in the economy of this nation itself. The article will discuss all the reasons why skill development is getting more preference, the benefits of putting skills development efforts in place to ensure a prosperous future for individuals, the hurdles and challenges in the way of implementing skill development, and the way ahead for India to maximize its human capital.

Why Skill Development is Important for India’s Youth?

In the past, a person with a college degree could easily secure employment. However, as the technology progressed with time and the changing nature of the job market, a normal degree is no longer enough. Employers now prefer skills over educational degree, which include specific knowledge, technical expertise, and practical experience, over general education qualifications.

The demand for skilled workers in the country is rising across a variety of sectors, from IT to healthcare, manufacturing, digital marketing, and construction. The number of graduates in India is enhancing, though many of them are not practically skilled, or job ready, as expected by employers. With 12-13 million entrants joining the workforce, it’s vital to equip students with practical, industry-relevant skills to overcome the 48.75% employability gap among youth.

How Skill Development Benefit Students?

1. More promising job prospects: The main benefit of skill development is that it increases the employability of a person. A skilled person is going to be hired more because companies prefer candidates who can provide value right away, without waiting for long periods of training. India’s young workforce is set to address global labour shortages, with EY forecasting that the country will contribute 24.3% of the global workforce growth over the next decade, positioning it as a key talent supplier.

Young people can enter into well-paying jobs that also offer career growth if equipped with correct skills. Consider the scenario of healthcare sector in the country, which is amongst the fastest growing industries as of now. The sector has huge requirements for medical practitioners and technicians. It is anticipated that the healthcare industry will support over 7.5 million jobs by the end of 2024.

2. Greater earning power: Skilled workforce generally gets more salary than those who are not specialized enough in a particular area. For instance, if you are a skilled developer or digital marketer, you can earn much more than a general commerce or arts graduate. According to NASSCOM, the starting salary for IT professionals with specialized skills like cloud computing, data science, and AI can be up to INR 10-15 lakhs per year, whereas the national average salary for graduates is INR 5-6 lakhs.

3. Venture creation and self-employment: Development of skill also allows scope for entrepreneurship. Today, youth from India is resorting to self-employment as there are so many freelancers who are setting up small ventures. Some skilled trades are related to plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, HVAC, CNC machining, 3D printing, robotics maintenance, and cybersecurity who get not only regular employment but may eventually turn into entrepreneurial or freelancing skills also. There are numerous initiatives where youth entrepreneurs are encouraged. In many areas, these entrepreneurship programs offer financial support and mentorship.

4. Economic growth and national development: Skilled youth contribute to the country’s overall economic growth. Skilled workers will help fill labour shortages in the key industries, thus improving productivity. According to NSDC, India’s skill development sector is likely to be worth ₹50,000 crore by 2025. This growth will not only provide jobs but will also create an environment for innovation and infrastructure development, which is essential for national growth.

Skill Development Programs: Role of Government and Private Sector

Government of India has invested more than 50,000 crore rupees in skill development programs. This investment is aimed at complementing ongoing initiatives like the “Skill India Mission” and programs managed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). In 2015, government had launched one of India’s largest programs offering free training and certification – Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). Moreover, government has partnered with industries for practical field training and apprenticeships, providing students with valuable job placement opportunities.

Private sector enterprises are also playing a vital role in imparting industry-relevant skills. Indian giants like Tata Group, Reliance, and Infosys have individually established their own training schemes and programs to upskill social community and employees. Tech stalwarts like Google and Microsoft, too, are collaborating with educational institutions to provide training in digital literacy to the millions of young Indians.

Challenges in Skill Development

Despite its benefits, skill development in India faces several challenges:

1. Access to skill training

A significant challenge is limited access to skill development programs in rural areas. While urban centers have numerous training options, youth in villages and small towns face fewer opportunities.

2. Quality of training

The quality of training often falls short of industry needs, with many programs outdated and curricula misaligned with employer requirements. There is an urgent need to revamp training so that young people can then be endowed with skills that are relevant and current.

3. Awareness and mindset

Many young people still see traditional education as the only path to success, with stigma around vocational training deterring them from skill development programs. A shift in mindset is needed, recognizing that skill development can offer valuable and immediate job opportunities.

The way forward to Make Skill Development Mission A Success

To make skill development a success, it is essential to focus on three key areas:

• Improved access: Enhance the establishment of more training centers in rural areas while using digital platforms for more accessibility to training content.
• Industry-relevant curriculum: Regular review of all programs that cover practical market-driven skills with inputs from industry experts.
• Awareness and motivation: Promoting the youth through different awareness communication and advice on their career paths.

Conclusion:

Skill development is one of the most powerful means for empowering India’s youth. Not only does it open doors to improved employment opportunities, but also to national prosperity and economic expansion. India can change its youth into a productive force to be reckoned with in the future through the combined efforts of government, industry, and education sectors. Skill development is not only a necessity but an investment for the future of India.