India's skilled workforce, comprising 554 million people aged 15-64, is expected to significantly impact the global labour market. The country has implemented programs like Skill India, bilateral agreements with Japan and France, and offers training through 15,000 ITIs. However, challenges include lack of comprehensive policy on international labour mobility.
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The Prime Minister expressed belief that India's skilled workforce will play an important role in the global labour market.
India has 554 million people between the ages of 15 and 64, making it a large and youthful workforce that can meet the demand for skilled labour around the world.
The government has launched several programs, including the Skill India Programme, which provides resources for skill training and internship opportunities in collaboration with leading companies.
Due to demographic shifts and technological advancements, there is an increasing need for skilled workers in industries like information technology, healthcare, construction, and logistics in places like the Gulf Cooperation Council, Europe, and North America.
India has signed bilateral agreements with countries such as Japan and France to promote skilled worker mobility and strengthen its position in the global labour market.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship provides skills training to meet global standards through a network of over 15,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
India is integrating globally applicable skills into educational curricula, with a special emphasis on introducing programs at International Skill Centres to meet the precise needs of destination countries.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was introduced to promote critical thinking, and digital literacy to ensure a comprehensive approach to education and skill development.
Using data analytics, India assesses job openings and skill requirements in real-time, supporting in aligning training programs with international market demands.
Short-term training programs customised to specific countries assist workers in preparing for international job markets and effectively addressing skill gaps.
Skill India International Centres (SIIC) provide training that meets international standards, promotes global partnerships and improves employability abroad.
The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) provides industry-relevant training, focussing on new-age skill courses, and certifies over 1.42 crore people.
The National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) is a unified framework for quality skill development that ensures alignment with global standards for international job opportunities.
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) promotes on-the-job training to ensure that workers develop practical skills that meet global industry standards.
Skill India Digital Hub was launched in 2023 as a digital platform that provides online vocational training resources and also promotes global skill recognition and accessibility.
India lacks a comprehensive policy on international labour mobility. Current policy interventions are fragmented and frequently lack evidence-based support. The only information available on migrant labour outflows is based on emigration clearances for low-skilled workers moving to 18 specific countries.
The dependence on limited data for tracking migrant labour outflows hampers the development of evidence-based policies to address the needs of Indian workers and foreign employers.
Return migrants' skills acquired abroad are frequently not recognised or certified in India, leading to missed opportunities for both individuals and the economy.
While several initiatives have been launched, the quality of skill development programs must be improved to meet international standards in order for Indian workers to remain competitive in the global market.
India must identify and anticipate the skills in demand in specific destination countries, as well as emerging skill gaps across key sectors. This can be achieved through careful skill forecasting, data analysis, and real-time job vacancy insights from destination countries.
India must map its current skill development efforts and follow-up actions in a systematic manner. This includes integrating global skills into curricula, reorienting skill programs at India's International Skill Centres, and developing short-term training programmes aimed at specific destination countries.
There is a need for a skill-centred international labour migration information system that collects, analyses, and reports on key skills and migration indicators to promote evidence-based interventions, encourage skill partnerships with destination countries, and improve migration and development outcomes.
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