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Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum Calls for Stronger Industry-Academia Interaction, Collaboration and Partnership
Sep 25, 2024
75 per cent of youth requires reskilling to meet modern industry demands: Amit Kalyani, Chair of FICCI's HR & Skills Committee and Vice Chairman of Bharat Forge
NEW DELHI. SEPTEMBER 25, 2024: Speaking at the 15th FICCI Global Skills Summit, Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum, urged industries to identify partner institutions for skill development, stating, "Each industry should identify some institutions where they will fit in, in order to provide those skill sets. Similarly, every institution should have MOUs with about five to six industries, if not more, and then continue that engagement."
Prof Sahasrabudhe also stressed the need for a competency-based approach to learning. "How can we make our education more competency-based is important," he said, highlighting the growing global trend of employers valuing skills over traditional qualifications.
He also alluded to the predominance of English-medium instruction, noting, "The most important part which is missing in our entire education system, be it in skilling or higher education, is that most of our education unfortunately still is continued in English.” To address this, he advocated for greater use of local languages and mother tongues in education, particularly to engage students from rural and remote areas. The chairman also called for a comprehensive overhaul of examination systems. "Our examination systems have to be reformed," Sahasrabudhe insisted, arguing that current methods often prioritise rote learning over critical thinking and innovation.
In his theme address, Mr Amit Kalyani, Chair of FICCI's HR & Skills Committee and Vice Chairman of Bharat Forge Limited, highlighted the transformative impact of technology on the global job landscape. "By 2030, more than 85 million jobs could be displaced by automation and AI, but close to 100 million new ones may emerge," he stated, emphasising the opportunities this shift presents for India's workforce, also underscoring the urgency of workforce reskilling.
Recognising the need for widespread upskilling, Mr Kalyani noted that 75 per cent of India's youth would benefit from reskilling to meet modern industry demands. A key focus of Mr Kalyani's address was increasing workforce participation, particularly among women. With female participation at 24 per cent, compared to the global average of 47 per cent, he stressed the untapped potential.
Mr Aseem Kaushik, Country Managing Director, L'Oreal India, highlighted L'Oreal's long-standing commitment to skills development in India, detailing the company's significant investment in training infrastructure since 1997. "Today, what we have is close to 46 centres," Kaushik stated, emphasising the scale of their initiative. He revealed that 200 full-time trainers work for L'Oreal, training approximately 350,000 hairdressers annually. This sustained effort has resulted in the creation of nearly 3.3 million hairdressing contacts over the years, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of their skills development programme.
Kaushik also stressed two critical tenets for future skills development strategies. "Women participation is an absolute, absolute must," he asserted, emphasising the importance of gender inclusivity in policymaking and interventions. Additionally, he highlighted the need to leverage India's digitally connected society for business development and growth. Kaushik identified a crucial gap in the current system, stating, "Connecting the skilled people to where the opportunity of employment is available. I think that part today is missing."
Mr SK Arya, Chairman, JBM Group, outlined four essential areas to accelerate the journey towards a skills-first economy: collaboration between industry and academia, leveraging digital platforms, increasing innovation and entrepreneurship, and ensuring inclusion and equity in skilling initiatives.
On occasion, the FICCI - EY Report "Future of Jobs in India 3.0” was unveiled. The publication reveals significant changes in the country's employment landscape, with AI adoption, sustainability, and cross-cultural competency emerging as key drivers shaping the future of employment. The study, which engaged over 200 industry leaders, experts, and policymakers, highlights the profound impact of technological advancements and environmental concerns on job roles and skill requirements across five key sectors: Manufacturing, FMCG, Healthcare, Energy, and Infrastructure.
The report underscores the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in job creation whilst acknowledging challenges in workforce readiness and adoption. It emphasises the need for robust collaboration between industry and academia to enhance curricula and provide practical learning opportunities. Sustainability also emerges as a top priority, with growing interest in green jobs among learners. The study also emphasises the importance of cross-cultural competency and global mobility in shaping future employment trends.