Skill Gaps: A Bridge too Far?

India's manufacturing sector is poised for tremendous growth, projected to reach US$ 1 trillion by 2025-26. This trajectory is fuelled by government initiatives like Make in India and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, which are driving expansion, attracting foreign direct investment, and enhancing industrial infrastructure. The manufacturing sector has emerged as an integral pillar of the country's economic growth, with key industries like automotive, engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and consumer durables leading the way.

However, the manufacturing sector is grappling with critical workforce challenges that threaten to undermine this promising future. A significant skill gap persists, with on-the-job training remaining the primary means of achieving proficiency. This results in prolonged learning curves and productivity lags. Further exacerbating the issue is the minimal collaboration between industry and academia, leading to a misalignment between educational curricula and the real-world needs of manufacturers. Consequently, companies struggle to find job-ready candidates, while graduates often lack the practical skills demanded by the sector.

Demographics and perception issues further compound these challenges. Manufacturing remains a male-dominated industry, with the nature of work often deterring female candidates from applying. This gender imbalance not only limits the talent pool but also hampers diversity and innovation. Additionally, the sector fails to attract younger generations, particularly Gen Z, who perceive manufacturing as boring, uncreative, and lacking the glamour of other industries. This image problem creates a generational gap in the workforce, potentially leading to knowledge loss and hindering long-term industry growth.