‘Skilling initiatives critical to ensuring India's workforce is ready for emerging opportunities’

TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, a leading player in India's education and employment landscape, is making significant strides in bridging the skill gap in sunrise sectors like Electric Vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, semiconductors, and drones.

In an exclusive interview with Bizz Buzz, Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, sheds light on the transformative potential of these industries in propelling India toward its ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025. "The EV sector alone, with its projected 45-50 per cent CAGR by 2030, is set to revolutionise transportation and create millions of jobs," says Kumar.

He emphasises the critical role of a skill-conducive ecosystem, highlighting the need for integrating green skills with data analytics and project management. Kumar also discusses the exponential growth in the drone industry, poised to create over 10,000 direct jobs, and underscores the importance of skilling initiatives in ensuring India's workforce is prepared for these emerging opportunities

How do you see sunrise sectors contributing to India's goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025?

India's ambition to become a $5 trillion economy by 2025 is significantly driven by the rapid growth of its sunrise sectors, including electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, drones, solar energy, and green jobs. Currently, the Indian economy stands robust at $3.9 trillion, with an impressive 8.2 per cent growth in real GDP in FY24. Among these sectors, the EV industry stands out as a significant catalyst, with government policies strategically aimed at making India a global leader in electric vehicle manufacturing. By 2030, the government envisions an electric vehicle (EV) sales penetration of 70 per cent for commercial vehicles, 30 per cent for private cars, and 80 per cent for two- and three-wheelers.

This ambitious plan and the sector's projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 45-50 per cent by 2030 further cements its role in revolutionising transportation in India, which is expected to create one crore direct jobs and five crore indirect jobs by 2030. These developments underscore the critical importance of establishing a skill-conducive ecosystem and integrating green skills with data analytics, project management, and innovation to support this transformation and drive India’s socio-economic development.

Beyond the EV sector, other sunrise industries like semiconductors, drones, solar energy, and green jobs are pivotal to achieving the $5 trillion target. India's semiconductor incentives are now among the most competitive globally, with the market anticipated to grow to $110 billion by 2030, capturing 10 per cent of global consumption.

The drone industry, another vital sunrise sector, is poised for exponential growth, expected to expand from Rs 60 crore in 2020-21 to over Rs 900 crore by FY24, creating over 10,000 direct jobs. The drone services industry, encompassing operations, logistics, data processing, and traffic management, is projected to contribute significantly to India's economy, potentially employing over five lakh people. Meanwhile, the solar energy sector, integral to India’s transition to a net-zero economy, is set to generate substantial green jobs, with the potential to create 50 million jobs and contribute $15 trillion by 2050, according to the World Economic Forum. The synergy between these sectors, supported by a robust skill development framework, will be instrumental in propelling India toward its goal of becoming one of the world’s largest economies, ensuring a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future.

What job roles do you foresee becoming prominent in the EV sector over the next few years?

As the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector continues its rapid expansion, a diverse range of job roles is expected to emerge, reflecting the sector's growing complexity and technological advancements. In the manufacturing domain, key roles such as battery assembly operators, machine tool operators, maintenance workers, and electric power line installers and repairers will become increasingly prominent. The field of battery design and R&D will demand higher-order skills, leading to the creation of specialized positions for battery engineers, chemical engineers, electronics and electrical engineers, and software developers tasked with advancing EV technology, applications, vehicle control systems, and battery charging infrastructure. Additionally, the industry will see a surge in demand for data scientists, compliance and infrastructure specialists, and service technicians, particularly in areas like pre-delivery inspection, marketing, regulation, and fleet management.

What are the primary job opportunities emerging in the renewable energy sector, particularly in solar and wind energy?

The renewable energy sector in India, particularly solar and wind energy, is rapidly becoming a significant contributor to job creation and economic growth. Solar energy alone is projected to generate 3.26 million jobs by 2050, with wind energy adding another 0.18 million jobs by 2030. The country's commitment to expanding its renewable energy capacity, as highlighted by the Union Budget’s emphasis on green hydrogen and other sustainable initiatives, underscores the vast potential for employment in this sector. In 2022, the solar industry experienced substantial growth, with an estimated 281,400 jobs split between on-grid and off-grid settings.

As India strives to achieve a 500 GW non-fossil electricity generation capacity by 2030, the renewable energy sector is expected to create approximately 3.4 million jobs, spanning both short and long-term opportunities. Emerging roles in this sector will be diverse, ranging from solar PV installation and maintenance, wind turbine technicians, and engineering design, to project management, research, and sales. Additionally, more specialized roles such as environmental scientists, sustainability supervisors, smart network managers, drone engineers, and recycling plant technicians will be in high demand, reflecting the sector’s growing complexity and technological advancements.

Which job roles are experiencing the highest demand in the semiconductor sector?

The semiconductor sector in India is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for skilled professionals, driven by the government's ambitious incentives and the sector's projected growth to a $110 billion market by 2030. With initiatives such as the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and the Design Linked Incentive (DLI), India is poised to become a global powerhouse in semiconductor manufacturing, contributing 10 per cent to global consumption. The recent approval of a $15 billion investment in three semiconductor plants further solidifies this strategic vision, aligning perfectly with the government's objectives to establish India as a key player in the global semiconductor market. However, to realize these ambitions, the industry faces a critical challenge—a significant skill gap, projected to be between 250,000 to 300,000 professionals by 2027, particularly in R&D, design, manufacturing, and advanced packaging roles.

As the sector is expected to create nearly one million jobs over the next five years, there is a pressing need to address this gap. Job roles experiencing the highest demand include field service engineers, technical specialists, maintenance technicians, entry-level technicians, and professionals in preventative maintenance and quality control. To meet these demands, the imperative need for skilling across the production chain becomes evident. Apprenticeships serve as a vital conduit in this process, nurturing talent and bridging the gap between industry demands and workforce capabilities. By providing hands-on experience and fostering expertise in critical areas such as R&D, manufacturing, and quality control, apprenticeships ensure that the workforce is well-prepared to support the sector's growth.

Moreover, degree apprenticeships offer an ideal pathway for cultivating a highly skilled workforce, combining theoretical knowledge with on-the-job training. This integrated approach is crucial for scaling up the skilling system to match the industry’s expanding needs. As India continues to invest in its semiconductor sector, these skilling initiatives will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the country has a ready and capable workforce fully equipped to support its ambitions of becoming a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and innovation.

What specific skills and qualifications are necessary for professionals aspiring to work in semiconductor design and fabrication?

Given the rapid pace of innovation in the semiconductor sector, there is an imperative need for continuous skilling to keep pace with industry demands. To bridge the existing skill gap, targeted skilling programs and degree apprenticeships are crucial. These initiatives offer a unique combination of theoretical learning and practical training, ensuring that professionals are not only well-versed in the latest technological developments but also capable of applying them in real-world scenarios.

As India seeks to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor market, the emphasis on developing a highly skilled workforce through structured skilling pathways becomes increasingly important. By investing in the right qualifications and continuously upgrading their skills, professionals can not only meet the high standards set by the industry but also play a pivotal role in driving the growth and innovation of India’s semiconductor sector. This strategic approach to skill development is essential for ensuring that the country’s ambitions in the global semiconductor market are fully realized.

How significant is the projected growth of the drone industry in terms of investment and job creation?

Drone technology in India is rapidly gaining traction across multiple sectors, propelled by the government's strategic initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the Drone Shakti scheme. With an allocation of Rs 120 crore and a constant 20 per cent incentive rate over three years, the PLI scheme underscores the government's commitment to fostering growth in the drone industry, already recognizing 23 key players. Drones are increasingly used in agriculture for crop monitoring, in infrastructure for surveying and inspection, and in logistics and e-commerce for efficient deliveries, while the healthcare sector employs drones for critical medical supply distribution in remote areas.

The drone services industry, encompassing operations, logistics, data processing, and traffic management, is projected to reach over Rs 30,000 crore, potentially creating jobs for over five lakh people. However, to fully harness the potential of this sector, addressing the existing skill gap and establishing a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem are imperative. The industry's expansion promises a multitude of job opportunities across levels, from manufacturing and R&D to specialized roles in piloting and maintenance, but the shortage of skilled drone pilots and technicians remains a significant challenge.

To bridge this gap, targeted skilling initiatives, including apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships, are essential. These programs offer hands-on training aligned with industry needs, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the necessary expertise to meet the growing demands of the drone sector.

What role does Teamlease Degree Apprenticeship play in bridging the skill gap in these industries?

TeamLease Degree Apprenticeships India’s largest employability scheme under the TeamLease Group, dedicated to the mission of putting India to work. As the fastest-growing blended apprenticeship program in the country, we help organizations cultivate a qualified, resilient, and sustainable workforce while optimizing their human supply chain. Since our inception in 2014, we have empowered over 10,00,000 youth through an innovative approach that combines earning with learning by doing. With partnerships spanning over 1000 employers across 24 industries and all 29 states, we have achieved an impressive 98 per cent transition rate into formal employment, with nearly 40 per cent of apprentices being absorbed by the same organization.

Our Work Integrated Learning Programs (WILPs) and administration of NAPS and NATS apprenticeship programs focus on real-world skills and job readiness, ensuring that our youth are equipped with the competencies needed to thrive in today’s workforce. cycles. Currently, we offer a variety of courses such as Diploma/Advanced Diploma in Sales Management, Certificates in CRM & Operations Management, Marketing Management, and Diploma in Business Operations. In response to the growing demand in sunrise sectors, we are actively developing specialized courses in partnership with TeamLease Skills University, Sector Skill Councils, and regional institutions.

These courses are designed to align closely with industry demands, helping to bridge the skills gap by equipping apprentices with the specific competencies required by employers, thereby ensuring a future-ready workforce that can seamlessly integrate into the rapidly evolving job market.