September 27, 2024
Ms. Sonal Jaitly said this in a virtual panel discussion titled “Empowering Growth: Investing in Education and Upskilling India’s Workforce for Tomorrow” organised by CUTS International on 27 September. The panel discussion was held as a part of the project “Exploring Alternate Models of Economic Growth, Inclusive Finance and Worker Welfare” being implemented by CUTS International since 2021. The project aims to generate further knowledge regarding the conditions necessary for institutionalising Good and Better Jobs in India. The discussion focused on aligning workforce development with India’s vision for 2047, stressing the importance of education reform and skill development to meet future industry needs.
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Samar Verma, Distinguished Fellow, CUTS International who begun the session by emphasising the holistic nature of India’s growth trajectory. “We should prioritise strengthening our education system and workforce development over focusing solely on economic growth, in alignment with our nation’s vision of achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, rather than just a GDP-centric growth model,” he stated. This sentiment was echoed throughout during the panel discussion, highlighting the necessity of a skills-focused and inclusive approach to national development.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was a central theme, with its emphasis on flexible and mobile learning. Speaking as a panellist, Dr. Shashi Bala, Senior Fellow at V.V. Giri National Labour Institute, highlighted its potential to influence India’s informal economy by aligning education with changing job market demands. The policy’s initiatives, such as the National Credit Framework and vocational training, were noted for their ability to enhance holistic, adaptable education, addressing workforce development needs.
Dr. Partha Pratiim Mitra, Former Principal Labour and Employment Advisor, Ministry of Labour and Employment, India brought attention to the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in supporting fresh graduates’ transition to the workforce. He emphasised that “Internships through Public-Private partnerships play a crucial role in enabling fresh graduates to transition into the workforce, and companies should prioritise offering such opportunities alongside creating decent jobs. This fosters skill development and enhances employability.”
Internship programs provide real-world experience that bridges the gap between education and the labour market. Such collaborations are crucial for creating pathways that allow young professionals to acquire hands-on skills and develop the agility necessary to navigate the ever-changing work environment, Dr. Mitra added.
Ms. Jaitly further stressed the need for policy-driven institutional mechanisms to align education with technological advancements and global business demands. She highlighted the role of Global Capability Centres in driving higher skill levels within value chains, which not only supports the transition from the informal to formal economy but also elevates India’s position in the global innovation landscape, ensuring students are job-ready.
The dynamic nature of today’s global job market demands flexibility in educational curricula, a point that Ms Mandvi Kulshreshtha, stressed during the panel. “We cannot have a definitive curriculum as that restricts adaptability to changes. Therefore, agility and flexibility are required at the school level so that even teachers can adapt and help the youth prepare for the ever-changing future of work,” she commented.
Ms. Kulshreshtha’s observation aligns with the broader shift towards personalised and adaptable learning paths, a vision championed by the NEP 2020. The focus is not merely on academic knowledge but on fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will help students thrive in industries disrupted by automation, artificial intelligence, and other technological advancements.
The panel concluded with a call for collaboration between government, industry, academia, and civil society to address education and workforce challenges. While policies like NEP 2020 and Skill India Mission set the foundation, it is crucial for industries and institutions to foster skill development, integrate digital training, and ensure inclusivity to meet global demands and drive India’s future economic growth.
For further details, contact to:
Tasmita Sengupta, Research Associate, tse@cuts.org
Deepmala Ghosh, Research Associate, dgh@cuts.org