FutureSKILLS: Transforming India into a Global Skills Hub

In the era of Industry 4.0, characterised by the integration of advanced technologies like IoT, cloud computing and AI into manufacturing processes, FutureSkills have become imperative. The shift towards smart factories, equipped with sensors, robotics and data analytics, demands a workforce proficient in navigating these cutting-edge technologies. FutureSkills empower professionals to harness the potential of Industry 4.0, enabling them to contribute to increased automation, predictive maintenance and process optimisation. The ability to analyse large datasets in real-time from smart manufacturing assets provides unparalleled visibility and insights, revolutionising decision-making and responsiveness to customer needs. As manufacturing evolves through the fourth industrial revolution, individuals with FutureSkills are crucial for driving efficiency, adapting to flexible production demands and ensuring the successful integration of Industry 4.0 concepts across diverse industrial sectors. The acquisition of these skills becomes not just an asset but a necessity for individuals seeking to thrive in the rapidly transforming landscape of modern manufacturing.

On the 15th of February 2024, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), hosted the first-ever Digital India FutureSKILLS Summit in Assam. Graced by a cohort of tech stalwarts, industry leaders, academia, policy-makers and technology enthusiasts, the conference fervently highlighted India's role as a pivotal player in the digital landscape, whilst also encouraging the young demo-graphic to tap into several avenues in the domains of technology, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and semiconductors. With the over-arching theme of 'Catalyzing Future-Ready, Talent for India & the World', the summit proved to be a significant step in transforming the country into a tech powerhouse and helping achieve the Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat.

The Need to Catalyse a Future-Ready Workforce for India and the World

As per the Global Skill Gap report released by the National Skill Development Corporation, several developed nations are seeing a decline in their population and an incline in the median age. Realising the causative effect of these factors in the declining workforce, governments are constantly seeking measures to combat labour shortage. To sustain and drive their economic trajectories upward, these nations are inviting the migrant workforce to aid with the same. In this light, India, with its youth demo-graphic, i.e., approximately 65 percent below 35 years and the potential upward trend in its working age population from 62% to 68% by the year 2030, showcases itself as a potential pool of skilled human resources for countries and regions with an ageing or declining national population, such as Europe and Japan. Thus, the need to keep fostering the working age population in the global labour market is highly imperative in the attempt to keep India at the forefront of economic development and also forge healthy international ties.

Sub-Themes of FutureSKILLS Summit

The FutureSKILLS summit opened the stage to various panellists and thought leaders for discussions on the four cornerstones that are currently driving digital transformation

in India - (i) Semicon India (ii) India AI (iii) Cyber-security and Emerging Technologies (iv) Digital India's Talent for the Global Workforce.

FutureSkills in Semiconductors: Developed by the Indian Electronics and Semiconductors Association, Semicon Futureskills is dedicated platform aiming to boost the electronics and semiconductors ecosystem in India and plays a pivotal role in achieving the government's goal of a $1 trillion digital economy revenue by 2025. Focusing on nurturing skilled professionals domestically, the initiative not only supports global companies but also empowers local Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industries. SemiconIndia FutureSkills serves as a vital platform for students to explore and benefit from the growing prospects in electronics and semiconductors. This programme aligns with India's vision of becoming a global semiconductor hub by fostering innovation and preparing creative minds.

The burgeoning electronics hardware industry, projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2026 according to the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), under-scores the need for Futureskills development in India. As the sector expands rapidly, generating a demand for 1.2 million jobs, including various roles in semiconductor manu-facturing and design, there is a pressing need to cultivate a skilled workforce to meet these demands. By integrating courses on semiconductors into the education system, initiatives like FutureSkills aim to equip individuals with the specialised skills required to thrive in this expanding industry, thereby fostering growth, innovation and competitiveness on a global scale.

Artificial Intelligence: The IndiaAI platform aims to foster inclusion by ensuring that the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) reach diverse sectors of the population, promoting innovation in the use of transformative technologies and encouraging widespread adoption for maximum societal impact. The platform is designated as a content repository and serves as a centralised source of information, resources and updates related to AI. Collaborating with several ministries, the platform has come up with key initiatives to underscore the role of AI in several sectors of national development, such as the conception of smart cities, analysis of socio-economic conditions of rural India through satellite mapping, early detection of diabetic retinopathy through AI, among many others.

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is another initiative that aims to fill the gaps between theory and practice on AI by facilitating advanced research and applied activities on AI-related priorities. The GPAI Summit held in New Delhi from December 12-14, 2023, was a significant mile-stone in advancing global AI governance. With emphasis on the themes of climate change, global health and societal resilience, experts presented their work under the four Expert Working Groups. The event provided a platform for inclusive discussions, knowledge-sharing and recognition through the Global AI Expo and Game-changer Awards, displaying GPAI's commitment to responsible AI, data governance, the future of work and innovation and commercialisation through the deliverables produced by its experts. The adoption of the 2023 Ministerial Declaration underscored their commitment to implementing regulations, policies and standards that promote responsible, sustainable and inclusive AI for the benefit of all. The summit demonstrated the collaborative efforts of diverse stakeholders in shaping the future of AI and addressing pressing global challenges.

Cyber Security: With cyber-attacks posing a significant threat to economies, India, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is actively developing a comprehensive cyber strategy. This includes real-time reporting of cyber-crimes, capacity buil-ding for law enforcement and establishing a national network of forensic laboratories. Stress-ing on real-time cyber threat intelligence sharing and collaboration with industry and academia is crucial for securing critical infrastructure. Strengthening Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and implementing a 24x7 cyber-security mechanism are vital for addressing emerging threats effectively. Given the transnational nature of cyber threats, international cooperation and information sharing are para-mount to combat cybercrimes in today's interconnected world.

The Unified Payments Interface system processed a remarkable 83.76 billion transactions in FY 2023, totaling Rs. 139 trillion, nearly double the previous year's figures. This surge in digital payments reflects India's growing digitally savvy population, making the country more susceptible to cyber-security threats. A robust digital immunity mechanism is essential to safeguard the national economy. The Data Security Council of India (DSCI), a NASSCOM initiative, aims to make India a global leader in cybersecurity. India's cyber-security market has seen substantial growth, reaching nearly USD 6 billion in 2023, with expectations to account for 5% of the global market by 2028. This growth is fuelled by technology adoption, digital transformation and emerging technologies such as AI/ML, blockchain, cloud computing and GenAI. A digitally skilled workforce is crucial to fortify cyber security defences and contribute to the digital economy's overall development, positioning India as a global player.

Digital India's Talent for the Global Workforce: According to a report by NASSCOM, India is now home to 1.6 billion digitally skilled people and has established a strong digital infrastructure by committing to digital empowerment and governance. The FutureSKILLS Summit focused on the ever-increasing digital exposure and the need for digital skill upgradation through its panel discussion themed 'Upskilling Digital Skills, International Certification and Global Opportunities for Indian Talent.' Enhancing the country's digital aptitude does not only open the door to employment in the existing areas, but also creates new avenues for exploration. Through collaborative initiatives in the form of Skill India, Digital India, Make in India, etc., the government pursues the goal of creating a 1 crore digital work-force in emerging technologies. As per a finding by NASSCOM, India has the lowest demand-supply gap when it comes to tech talent at 25%-27% as compared to global tech leaders such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia. This demonstrates India's potential to further penetrate the global workforce with its growing digital talent pool, placing India at the center of the digital realm.

Compiled by: Kaushikee, Sudhit Mishra, Induja, EN Team

Source: Inputs from PIB, Invest India, NASSCOM, MeitY