India’s electronics-manufacturing sector is already among the fastest growing in the world. Great news, isn’t it? The projected growth rate of this sector is 25 to 30 per cent. That’s even better news, right? Yes, but let’s not rejoice. There is an issue. While there is significant growth potential, there isn’t skilled talent available to take up the jobs in this sector.
A report by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship reveals a mismatch between the demands of the electronics industry and capable workers. With the sector making fast strides into the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Industry 4.0 technologies, the skills gap becomes more apparent.
If you are thinking that a shortage of skilled talent is the only challenge, you are wrong. The electronics industry also lacks specialised technical experts capable of taking on advanced roles. This is worrisome, especially when it comes to areas such as manufacturing, electronics design, and technical troubleshooting that cannot do without efficiency in operations and innovation. Companies are finding it tough to find the right talent for important roles even though there isn’t a dearth of opportunities. That means focus on targeted training and upskilling initiatives is required to fill crucial roles.
It is projected that over the next three years or so, the electronics space will employ about 12 million people directly and indirectly. However, there will be a significant workforce shortfall of 8 million and a skills gap affecting 10 million more.
Why is this skills gap widening?
For one, the curricula in our educational institutions are not in line with the requirements of the industry. Our academic programmes are outdated and lagging, while technology has advanced in leaps and bounds in the electronics sector. Students graduating from our institutions lack the practical skills on which the sector is dependent for growth. Core manufacturing roles in the field require specialised technical talent with specific expertise. This demand for skilled experts will only continue to grow more than the supply as the industry’s operations scale up. The result? An ever widening skills gap!
How can this skills gap be bridged?
A multi-faceted approach is required to bridge the gap. In the long run, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) can be increased along with allowing students better access to quality educational institutions. In the short term, however, focused upskilling along with reskilling/apprenticeship programmes can give an immediate solution.
This way, the quality of the workforce can be improved, making them more employable.
Creating a sustainable talent pipeline possessing the ability to fulfil the future demands of the industry can only happen if the dearth of manpower is addressed through systematic efforts from all stakeholders.
First and foremost, the curricula has to be aligned with market demands. That is where the Apprenticeship
Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP) under NEP 2020 will play a significant role. These will produce two million employable freshers every year, ready to take up jobs.
It is expected that the talent pool of the electronics industry will rely primarily on the electrical and electronics engineering streams, with five per cent contribution from artificial intelligence (AI), machine language (ML) and data science; 50 per cent contribution from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and 35 to 40 per cent from general streams.