Empowering Youth Through Skills

Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur said, "To bridge the skills gap among the youth, a multi-faceted approach is essential. The Government of India has made significant strides through NEP 2020 by updating curricula to align with industry needs, promoting experiential learning and integrating digital literacy and emerging technologies. Initiatives like the 100 CUBE conclave, inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan at IIM Sambalpur, are crucial. This initiative aims to establish 100 startups with a valuation of Rs 100 crores each by Odisha's 100-year celebration in 2036, significantly contributing to skill development and innovation. IIM Sambalpur plays a pivotal role in providing platforms for skill development and mentorship. Collaboration between educational institutions and industry leaders is vital for enhancing skill development and employability. Programmes like StrategiQuest and Marmagya 8.0 at IIM Sambalpur, along with the ‘Thought-suite Programme’ and industry visits, foster real-world skills and industry-relevant expertise among the youth. These initiatives keep students in sync with industry trends. Emerging technologies are transformative in addressing the skills gap. Educational institutions must integrate tech-driven curricula and provide hands-on experience with tools like AI, machine learning, data analysis and blockchain. Programmes at IIM Sambalpur focus on real-world applications and entrepreneurship, preparing students for a technology-driven economy."

V Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani Group of Institutions and former Director, IIT Delhi said, "To bridge the skills gap among youth, we must modernise our curriculum to align with industry demands, promote continuous learning, and emphasise practical training. We believe that today's youth is agile and ready to adapt to the ever-changing work environment. To give the best to them, it is imperative to have collaborations between educational institutions and industry leaders to create tailored programmes, offer internships, and provide real-world experience. The job market is evolving and reshaping with the spate of emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and data science and it is crucial to integrate these in the modern curriculum framework. By working together, we can bridge the skills gap, enhance employability, and ensure that our youth are well-equipped to contribute to the nation's growth and development”.

Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India North and East, said, “India is home to one of the youngest populations in the world. This demographic dividend will drive economic growth and propel the nation into a new era of prosperity. As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, we at McDonald’s, recognise the crucial role youth plays in driving sustainable development and economic prosperity of the nation. We are committed to empowering youth through comprehensive training and skill development programmes. Our unwavering commitment has led us to dedicate approximately 90,000 hours annually to train our managers, raise the bar in the QSR industry. With approximately 80 per cent of our workforce less than 24 years old, we focus on equipping the youth with essential operational and soft skills to enable them to grow to their potential. Additionally, our McDonald's for Youth programme offers employment and training opportunities to youth from less-privileged communities. We actively partner with NGOs to support their career aspirations and contribute to India's growth by fostering a skilled and inclusive workforce. We remain committed to nurturing young talent, ensuring they have the skills and opportunities to thrive.”

Anuresh Singh, CEO, Generation India Foundation, emphasises the critical need for continuous learning and development to keep the workforce competitive in today's job market. He stresses the importance of aligning technical and soft skills with industry needs through vocational training, apprenticeships and ongoing skill enhancement programmes. Singh highlights the pivotal role of strong academia-industry partnerships in facilitating knowledge exchange and ensuring educational programmes meet evolving industry demands. He advocates for targeted training in high-demand job roles supported by government policies and incentives, alongside promoting digital literacy and an entrepreneurial mindset among youth. By implementing these strategies, stakeholders can effectively bridge the skills gap and empower youth to thrive in a dynamic workforce.

Parth Chadha, Co-Founder and CEO, STAN, emphasises the crucial steps needed to bridge the skills gap among the youth. He advocates for industry internships, collaborations with companies and continuous learning opportunities. Chadha suggests introducing soft skills courses and organising skill-based competitions within educational institutions. To enhance employability, he proposes forming curriculum advisory boards, establishing internship programmes and facilitating guest lectures and job fairs. Chadha highlights the role of emerging technologies such as AR/VR, AI and machine learning in transforming industries like gaming. He believes integrating gaming into education can equip youth with essential future skills, emphasising that gaming serves as a gateway to experiential learning beyond mere entertainment. 

Mayank Badhwar

BW Reporters The reporter works as Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld