India's Tech Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities in the AI Era

Is India's youth workforce equipped for the tech job boom?

India's growth in 5G, electronics fabrication, telecom, and EV industries drives new job opportunities requiring AI, Big Data, IoT, and sustainability skills. The renewable sector's expansion highlights the need for continuous learning. Collaborative training, adaptability, and problem-solving are essential to prepare the youth for an evolving job market.The past decade has seen exponential technological growth, necessitating significant shifts in skills and workforce dynamics. Automation and AI are driving the need for workers to develop new competencies, while companies must reorganize work structures. In India, this rapid technological transformation is particularly evident in the electronics fabrication sector and the burgeoning 5G infrastructure. These advancements are not only enhancing industry capabilities but also creating substantial employment opportunities for the youth. This shift underscores the critical need for skill development to keep pace with evolving technological demands and ensure the youth are equipped for future job markets. Electronics Fabrication: A New Era of Manufacturing India's technological landscape is transforming rapidly, particularly in the electronics fabrication sector. Leveraging cutting-edge materials and processes like organic electronics and 3D printing, the country is pushing the boundaries of modern manufacturing. This shift towards sophisticated techniques generates a substantial need for skilled professionals who can navigate the complexities of contemporary fabrication technologies. As a result, there's a growing emphasis on upskilling the youth workforce to handle advanced equipment and materials, fostering a new generation of tech-savvy professionals equipped to drive innovation. The demand for digital skills, including AI, Big Data Analytics, and IoT, is soaring. The semiconductor industry, poised to become a $100 billion industry by 2030, is expected to generate approximately 1 million global jobs by 2025-2026. India requires 250,000-300,000 skilled professionals in 2027 across R&D, design, manufacturing, and advanced packaging domains. Despite substantial progress, closer industry-academia ties are essential for the government's efforts to yield the desired results, emphasising the need for collaborative training programs aligned with current market needs. Telecom Industry: Technological Advancements The advent of 5G technology in India is revolutionising industries, creating jobs and new profiles for 2024 and 2025. This 5G boom is creating many jobs and require skilled workers in fields like cloud computing, robotics, and IoT. The telecom sector alone is projected to employ 67.9 lakh workers in FY25, with a 29.5% growth rate focused on 5G roles. Emerging job profiles include 5G technology developers, cybersecurity experts, RF systems architects, AI/ML developers, and 5G ORAN architecture specialists. Key skills needed are technical knowledge of devices, open-source architecture, IoT, and 5G technology, alongside niche skills for sectors like agriculture, retail, and financial services. Soft skills, such as adaptability and problem-solving, are also crucial. Airfibre: Expanding the Job Market Airfibre technology, offering high-speed internet without wires, is creating jobs for telecom engineers, project managers, and FTTH planners. Telecom companies which have recently launched 5G services seek professionals to design and manage fibre optic services, and customer service roles are growing to meet the increased demand. EV Industry: Driving Forward Job Growth India's Electric Vehicle (EV) industry is burgeoning, creating many job opportunities for the youth. In 2023, the EV sector saw job growth of 40-45% compared to the previous year, with hiring surging by 15-20% in 2024. By 2030, the industry could create 10 million direct jobs and an additional 50 million indirect jobs, significantly contributing to the country's employment landscape. The market size of the Indian electric vehicle industry reached approximately USD 5.48 billion in 2023, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.7% between 2024 and 2032. New job profiles emerging in the EV industry include battery engineers, electric powertrain engineers, charging infrastructure specialists, data scientists and AI experts, and regulatory compliance and policy experts. Key skills in demand are expertise in battery technology, electric powertrain development, charging infrastructure development, data analytics, AI, and regulatory knowledge. The EV industry is creating jobs and shaping the future of transportation, offering exciting and rewarding career opportunities for the youth. Industry 4.0: Expanding Manufacturing Horizons Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is significantly impacting the manufacturing sector in India, creating new job opportunities and demanding a new set of skills, especially among the youth. Adopting Industry 4.0 technologies leads to workforce expansion, with 74% of employers projecting growth in the second half of FY24. Cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Coimbatore are emerging as top recruitment hubs. New job profiles for youths include data architects, blockchain developers, AI developers, business analysts, and sustainability advisors. Skills in demand encompass technical expertise in PLC troubleshooting and programming, working with micrometres, blueprints, cutting equipment, and engineering drawings, alongside soft skills like adaptability to technological changes, cultural adeptness, and global awareness. Future trends indicate a focus on diversity and retention, with companies intensifying the use of emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, ML, Big Data Analytics, CPS, Cloud Computing, AR, VR, Robotics, and Automation to enhance efficiency and autonomy. Renewable Energy: Powering the Future The renewable energy sector in India is experiencing a significant surge in job opportunities, particularly for the youth. In FY24, job demand in this sector increased by 23.7%, a substantial rise from the 8.5% growth recorded in the previous fiscal year. Notable growth was in tier II and III cities. New job profiles emerging in the sector include solar PV technicians and installers, wind turbine technicians, energy storage operators, production operators, and waste management specialists. Key skills in demand encompass technical proficiency in renewable energy systems, project management, data analysis, and sustainability practices. The sector is expected to continue its growth trajectory, with an increasing emphasis on green jobs and sustainability. This expansion highlights the importance of combining technical expertise and soft skills, such as adaptability and problem-solving, to support the industry's evolving demands. Conclusion: Adapting to a New Skill Set As India continues to evolve technologically, the job market is transforming, demanding new skills. For the youth, this means an increasing need to focus on continuous learning and skill development to stay relevant and employable. From electronics fabrication and 5G networks to the EV industry and renewable energy sector, new-age skills are becoming prerequisites. By embracing these changes and upskilling accordingly, young professionals in India can look forward to promising and impactful careers in various dynamic fields. The author is Chief Strategy Officer, TeamLease Services

Upskilling key for India's tech workforce to thrive in AI era: Report - ET Telecom

New Delhi: Even as India emerges as a global IT outsourcing hub and a breeding ground for technology startups, acquiring specialised skills to meet employer expectations is of utmost importance, a report said on Monday. Data shows that by 2025, AI is expected to contribute up to $500 billion to India's GDP, potentially reaching $967 billion by 2035. According to Sachin Alug, CEO of NLB Services, a technology and digital talent solutions provider, popular upskilling areas include data analytics, machine learning, cybersecurity, banking and wealth management, digital marketing, robotics, AI and cloud computing. "These programmes can lead to a salary increase of 20-30 per cent in metro cities and 15-20 per cent in Tier 2 and 3 cities," he said. Driven by the need to stay relevant, widespread internet access and the rise of e-learning platforms, fresh talent from tier 2 and 3 cities is increasingly enrolling in upskilling courses. Bengaluru and Chennai lead in upskilling initiatives, followed by Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. A recent report indicates that only 29 per cent of Indian fresh graduates in white-collar jobs feel secure about retaining their positions in FY25. It showed professionals in the IT, telecom, and tech sectors, especially those with engineering degrees, consider upskilling important for their careers. The report also highlighted gender diversity in upskilling. Around 20-25 per cent of women in IT are actively involved in these upskilling programmes, though 30-35 per cent feel underconfident due to a lack of training in advanced technologies like generative AI, robotics, and cloud computing, the report mentioned. Further, the report noted that the manufacturing sector is expected to generate 5 million new AI-related jobs by 2030. This is in "contrast with retail, which may lose 850,000 jobs by 2025 but gain 4 million new AI-centric roles". Hence, he called on policymakers to undertake strategic initiatives to address these evolving needs. "To succeed in the AI-driven future, a proactive strategy for continuous learning and upskilling is required; otherwise, India may experience instability owing to insufficient upskilling in the IT sector, particularly in AI," the report mentioned. The 'India Skills Report 2024' forecasts that AI will create 1.6 million new jobs in healthcare by 2030, while finance may see 1 million jobs displaced but also 1.5 million new AI-skilled positions.