Union Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and MoS for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, on Wednesday unveiled the report “Skills for the Future: Transforming India’s Workforce Landscape” in New Delhi. Prepared by the Institute for Competitiveness (IFC), the independent study analyzes India’s workforce using data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023–24, revealing that 88% of the workforce is still engaged in low-competency occupations.
The report identifies five key sectors—IT & ITeS, Textile & Apparel, Electronics, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Beauty & Wellness—as accounting for over 66% of vocational training. It also highlights the need for a standardized data system to track skill demands and calls for industry accountability in promoting certified talent through market-aligned training.
Minister Chaudhary emphasized that skilling must shift from being supply-driven to demand-led, market-aligned, and outcome-oriented. He also advocated for a robust employability index and deeper integration of education, vocational training, and industry. In Guwahati, which is witnessing rapid growth in retail, healthcare, and electronics sectors, industry leaders welcomed the report’s push for localized, skill-based hiring. Experts noted the need for targeted training modules in the Northeast to unlock regional employment potential aligned with national goals.