A study conducted by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has revealed that there is a huge gap between the supply and demand of skilled workers in India. Research shows that the demand for skilled workers is as high as 103 million, while the current supply is only 74 million. This imbalance highlights the urgent need for all sectors in the country to focus on skills and training.
A major reason for this shortage is changing economic conditions in India. Industries such as healthcare, semiconductor manufacturing, green jobs and sustainability, waste management, circular economy, food processing, drone technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are emerging as key growth areas. Not only are these industries expanding rapidly, they also require a workforce with specialized skills and knowledge—attributes that are currently in short supply.
India’s leading human resource and skill development leaders convened a brainstorming session in Delhi on Friday to address the ongoing employment and talent crisis affecting the country.
The partnership aims to bridge the skills gap and improve employability, thereby helping the Indian workforce become future-ready and globally competitive. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has joined hands with Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) India to develop a workable framework for future-proof skills and employability in a rapidly evolving world.
The event brought together industry leaders and senior HR professionals to discuss strategies for reskilling and upskilling the corporate and industrial workforce. This is in response to a rapidly changing employment landscape influenced by technological advances and the changing nature of work post-pandemic.
Elaborating on his views on this landmark partnership, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and Managing Director, NSDC International (NSDCI) said, “Both NSDC and SHRM are purpose-driven organizations. This partnership aims to enable Skilling India is aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision. As HR manages the entire talent pipeline, assisting employees in reskilling and upskilling to address skill gaps will meet the needs of the country. Big skill needs.”
Tiwari further added, “To transform India into a $5 trillion economy by 2025, we must accelerate the pace of skill training. One in four workers in the global workforce is Indian, so there is a huge opportunity for our youth Equipping with the right skills is critical. It’s not just about growth; it’s about ensuring that every Indian can benefit from this demographic advantage.”
Highlighting the importance of this initiative, Achal Khanna, CEO, Asia Pacific and MENA, SHRM India said, “I am extremely proud to be associated with NSDC. HR Leadership Council Connect bridges the corporate world and the skills ecosystem gap. Through India’s first HR Leaders Council of Chief Human Resources Officers’ Future Ready Workforce Initiative, we aim to create an adaptable skills ecosystem that caters to current and future workforce needs. Contribute to Kaushal Bharat and Viksit Bharat agenda”.
Today’s discussion is the first in a series of such deliberations and helps provide insights that will help establish a framework to bridge the skills gap and enhance the capabilities of our workforce by leveraging the expertise of the HR community. competitiveness.
