Bridging India’s Electronics Talent Gap: 10 Million Skilled Workers Needed by 2027
- Chinmay
- November 19, 2024
- India, News
- AI, apprenticeships, Electronics Manufacturing, India workforce, Industry 4.0, IoT, PLI Scheme, Semiconductor Manufacturing, skill gap, TeamLease report., vocational training
- 0 Comments
India’s electronics sector is on the cusp of a revolution, with a projected creation of 12 million jobs by 2027-28, including 3 million direct roles and 9 million indirect ones. However, a recent report by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship highlights a pressing challenge: a massive talent deficit of 8 million workers and an additional 10 million skills gap. This shortfall threatens to derail the country’s aspirations of becoming a global electronics manufacturing leader, despite the momentum provided by initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and the Electronics Development Fund (EDF).
The Skills Deficit in Electronics
India’s move toward high-tech areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Industry 4.0 has significantly increased demand for skilled professionals in core technical fields such as electronics manufacturing, semiconductor design, and energy management. Yet, the supply of skilled talent lags behind, primarily due to a misalignment between educational outcomes and industry requirements.
Current employability rates in Electronics and Electrical Engineering stand at just 60%, while ITI-qualified candidates fare worse at 40%. General education streams have even lower rates, ranging from 38% to 55%. This gap underscores the urgent need to revamp vocational and technical training programs to equip graduates with the hands-on skills needed for advanced manufacturing and design roles.
Key Areas of Demand
By 2027, the electronics industry will require expertise in:
- Communication and Broadcast Electronics
- Consumer Electronics
- Industrial Electronics
- Automotive Electronics
Specialized roles in semiconductor manufacturing, electronics system design, and energy management for electric vehicles are particularly in demand. Yet, these advanced roles face the sharpest talent shortages.
Addressing the Gap: A Multifaceted Approach
To meet this challenge, the TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship report emphasizes the following strategies:
- Apprenticeships and Hands-On Training: Scaling apprenticeships, which are currently growing at a 55% CAGR, to 1 million apprentices by 2027, with a potential to reach 2 million by 2030. Apprenticeships provide essential practical experience, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications.
- Industry-Academia Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and the electronics industry to align curricula with industry needs. This will ensure graduates are better prepared to meet market demands.
- Government Policies: Leveraging initiatives like the PLI Scheme, Semiconductor Mission, and R&D funding to foster job creation and talent development in advanced fields such as AI, IoT, and Industry 4.0.
The Path Forward
India’s electronics production value reached $101 billion in FY23, reflecting its potential as a global manufacturing hub. However, as AR Ramesh, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, pointed out, “Without a skilled workforce, this potential cannot be realized. By scaling apprenticeships and strengthening industry-academia partnerships, we can close the talent gap and accelerate India’s transition into advanced manufacturing domains like AI, IoT, and Industry 4.0.”
The onus lies on all stakeholders—government, academia, and industry—to collaborate and ensure that India not only meets its job creation targets but also equips its workforce with the skills to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
