India's diverse skill gaps require tailored skilling to meet industry demands, says Union Skill Development Secretary

As India aims to become a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, the union government is planning to boost skill development by creating quality skilling infrastructure and integrating skilling courses with general education to boost skill development, Atul Kumar Tiwari, secretary, of Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry said.

In a bid to create a workforce ready for the international job market, the government is working on a strategic plan to make skilling more personalized to meet industry demands.

“AI influences skilling in two ways—the delivery of AI as a skill, and changes in the delivery of skilling itself. Our approach includes specialized AI programming for engineers, AI courses for ITIs (industrial training institutes) and schools, and basics of AI for everyone through Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH),” he said in an interview with Mint.

Tiwari highlighted the need to tailor skilling efforts as there is a rapid advancement of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.

“The approach to AI skilling is divided into three categories: AI for Few, which focuses on specialized AI programming for proficient computer engineers; AI for Many, which offers courses on AI applications in machine learning, data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, automation, and cybersecurity for ITIs and schools; and AI for All, which provides an understanding of AI fundamentals, common applications, usage of AI tools, and AI ethics for everyone via SIDH portal,” he was quoted as saying.

Talking about the biggest skill gaps currently observed in the Indian workforce and how the government is planning to tackle them, the skill development secretary said that the "government conducts periodic skill gap studies through Sector Skill Councils and develop District Skill Development Plans".

"We are also collaborating with various ministries to collect granular skilling information and update demand periodically based on studies by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER)," he said.
Tiwari noted that the government collaborates with industries to ensure that relevant skills are imparted.

“The government is taking several key initiatives to enhance skill development in rural areas and ensure inclusive growth as skilling is now more integrated with sector-specific needs. Programmes like PM-Vishwakarma, Green Hydrogen, and PM-Surya Ghar Yojana focus on upskilling and recognition of prior skills,” he stressed.

He also mentioned that innovative measures, such as the revised skill loan scheme and micro-entrepreneurship initiatives, are being introduced to finance skill acquisition and support livelihoods.

Tiwari said the government offers flexible training programs through industrial training institutes (ITIs) and is exploring easier industry adoption of ITIs and demand-side financing via skill vouchers and revised skill loan schemes.

The government has also implemented inclusive measures like support for board and lodging under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, and incentives for MSMEs, women apprentices, and individuals from the northeastern region under the revised National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme.

Funding for these skill development programs comes from various ministries and states, with a focus on maximizing returns through data integration with employment, counseling, and credit systems, he said.