Ministry of Labour & Employment
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Highlights
India’s Potential to Address Global Workforce
Shortages through Skill Initiatives at “Conference on
Future of Jobs”
Industries Set to Become Skilling Hubs: Key
Takeaways from Future of Jobs Conference
Posted On: 16 JAN 2025 11:08AM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE), Government of India, in collaboration with the
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), hosted the “Conference on Future of Jobs” themed “Shaping
Tomorrow’s Workforce: Driving Growth in a Dynamic World” on 15.01.2025 in New Delhi. This pivotal
event convened policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to deliberate on the evolving employment
landscape and curate strategies for a future-ready workforce in India.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Minister of Labour and Employment & Youth Affairs and Sports,
Government of India, stated, “To synergize education and employment, skill development must be at the core
of our efforts. By fostering innovation, enhancing productivity, and preparing individuals for the workforce,
we are creating jobs and building a global talent hub.” He also highlighted India’s potential to address global
workforce shortages through initiatives like the Mutual Recognition of Skills and Standards.
By fostering strong industry-academia linkages, we can create a skilling model tailored to India’s unique
needs. Skilling should go beyond certificates and focus on equipping individuals with practical expertise to
meet the dynamic demands of the industry and self-employment sectors. It is time to rethink our approach to
skilling—rather than focusing solely on certifications, the goal should be to develop professionals with the
actual skills needed to excel in the industry.
Smt. Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, stated that to thrive
in a rapidly evolving landscape, three key questions have emerged: How do we develop a digitally proficient
workforce equipped to navigate an increasingly tech-driven job market? What strategies can we employ to
build a truly inclusive workforce, where diversity is valued, and everyone is given equal opportunities?
Additionally, as industries prioritize environmental sustainability, how can we integrate eco-friendly practices
and values into our workforce culture?
"A skilled and adaptable workforce is crucial for attracting investments in key sectors such as healthcare,
manufacturing, logistics, and green jobs. Strengthening labor-intensive industries ensures equitable
opportunities for diverse demographics, including those with limited access to advanced education," she
emphasized.
She highlighted India’s position as the "GCC Capital of the World," with 1,700 Global Capability Centres
(GCCs) employing over two million people—a number projected to grow significantly by 2030.
"In these GCCs, we see the adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, data analytics,
robotic process automation, digital commerce, cybersecurity, blockchain, augmented reality, and virtual
reality. This serves as evidence of India’s exceptional technological talent," she added.
Key Sectoral Insights from the Conference
Manufacturing: Mr. Vinod Sharma, Chairman, CII National Committee on Electronics Manufacturing &
Managing Director, Deki Electronics Limited, proposed an integrated National Employment Policy to
streamline employment schemes across ministries and states. He suggested setting up a dedicated "Task Force
on Future of Jobs" to identify challenges and solutions for future-proofing the industry, government, and
workforce. Additionally, he advocated for a dynamic Universal Labour Management Information System
(ULMIS) for efficient job matching and skill development.
He further emphasized the importance of a skill-based career progression framework to enhance career
pathways and professional development. He recommended offering incentives to companies that provide
upskilling and reskilling programs and urged increased investments in apprenticeship and earn-and-learn
programs to build a more adaptable workforce. He also stressed the need to promote short-term education and
skill development courses.
Green Jobs: Mr. Rajendra Mehta, CHRO, Suzlon Group, emphasized that India ranks fourth globally in
renewable energy employment, with 1 million jobs in 2023. He stated, “The transition to clean energy is set to
create 10.3 million new jobs globally by 2030, driven by a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy
capacity. This shift opens up a world of green skills, from renewable energy technologies to sustainability
practices, environmental science, and carbon market expertise.” Key roles include Renewable Energy
Technicians, Sustainability Consultants, Environmental Engineers, Green Building Professionals, and Carbon
Market Analysts, paving the way for a sustainable, energy-efficient future.
Hospitality & Tourism: Mr. Ajay Dutta, Vice President – HR, Indian Hotels Company Limited, stated,
“India's tourism industry is rebounding post-pandemic, driven by states like Goa, Himachal Pradesh, and
Kerala. Emerging trends include spiritual, rural, and wellness tourism. With a vision for Viksit Bharat, the
industry aims to reach $3 trillion by 2047, generating significant direct and indirect employment
opportunities.” He highlighted that skills acquired in this sector are transferable to other industries like retail
and BPO and urged the government to grant 'Industry Status' to the hospitality and tourism sector.
Smart Manufacturing: Mr. Dilip Sawhney, Chairman, CII National Committee on Smart Manufacturing &
Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India Ltd, said, “Smart Manufacturing is key to achieving India's
goal of a $7.5 trillion economy, contributing 25% to GDP and making India the second-largest global
manufacturing hub. With 90% of firms in the sector being MSMEs, competitiveness is critical to creating over
100 million highly skilled jobs and integrating India into global value chains.” He emphasized that as
manufacturing evolves with advanced technologies, skilling and upskilling programs must empower the
workforce to adapt to analytics-driven roles, driving economic growth and value addition.
Logistics: Mr. Sukumar K, CEO, TVS Supply Chain Solutions Ltd, remarked, “Globally, the logistics sector
is set to reach $18 trillion by 2030, while in India, it is expected to grow to over $350 billion, driven by rising
e-commerce, manufacturing incentives, and transformative policies like the PM Gati Shakti National Master
Plan, making it a cornerstone of economic growth and employability.”
Mr. Anil Syal, President, Safexpress Pvt Ltd, added, “The Indian warehousing market, growing at a 14–15%
CAGR, is set to reach $35 billion by FY 2027. Key drivers include AI, automation, sustainability, and real-
time visibility through autonomous systems and data analytics. Emerging trends like intra-storage robotics
and sustainable transportation are reshaping workforce dynamics and supply chain operations.”
Healthcare: Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Member, CII Healthcare Council & Managing Director & CEO,
Fortis Healthcare, highlighted, “Healthcare contributes 10% of global GDP (WHO, 2020; World Bank, 2023),
with India’s sector growing 7-10% annually (Economic Times, March 2024). To address a global shortage of
18 million workers by 2030 and India’s gap of 2.7 million, increasing GHE to 2.5-3.0% of GDP, upskilling in
digital health, developing medi-cities for medical tourism, and strengthening rural healthcare are critical to
meeting demand and creating jobs.”
Dr. Shubnum Singh, Member, Governing Body, Healthcare Sector Skills Council, noted, “AI is welcome in
healthcare in an augmented role. We should go forward slowly and steadily while strengthening digital skills
in healthcare and supporting innovation.”
The conference spotlighted India’s employment transformation, underscoring a significant rise in jobs from
471.5 million in 2014-15 to 643 million in 2023-24, according to provisional estimates from the RBI’s
KLEMS database. Key growth drivers include increased investments, the PLI scheme, and advancements in
technology. MSMEs and startups have played pivotal roles in reshaping the workforce landscape.
Emerging fields such as green jobs, digital technologies, and service sectors like hospitality, tourism, and
healthcare are reshaping the employment ecosystem.
Conclusion and Policy Recommendations The conference culminated in actionable policy
recommendations to prepare India’s workforce for a dynamic global economy. Key strategies include:
Enhancing skill development and technological upskilling.
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Fostering public-private partnerships for inclusive growth.
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Promoting digital literacy and eco-friendly workforce values.
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Prioritizing inclusivity and sustainability in workforce development.
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By addressing these key focus areas, India is poised to become a leader in the global employment landscape,
creating a future-ready workforce that not only meets domestic demands but also addresses global workforce
challenges.
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Himanshu Pathak
(Release ID: 2093272)
