08 April 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Shaping a future-ready workforce

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Key Drivers of Change in the Labour Market

• The global job market is undergoing major changes due to technology, shifting population patterns, economic instability, global tensions, and the green transition.
• Around 60% of employers believe that technological progress and better digital access will be major forces shaping jobs by 2030.
• About 50% of employers think economic factors like job losses in traditional industries will also play a big role.
• Climate change is both creating new job opportunities in renewable energy and forcing businesses to change how they work.
• By 2030, the global market may see 170 million new jobs but also lose around 92 million due to shifting needs.

Workforce Training and Skill Needs

• In response to these changes, companies are focusing on training workers, offering better wages, and supporting employee well-being.
• About 59 out of every 100 workers will need to learn new skills, especially in analytical thinking, resilience, and technology use.
• Jobs in fields like Big Data and Artificial Intelligence are expected to grow quickly, so workers must have strong technical and thinking skills.
• Soft skills like emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership are also becoming more important for success in a changing work environment.

India’s Strengths and Gaps in Workforce Preparedness

• According to the QS World Future Skills Index, India ranks second globally in preparing for AI and green skills, showing great promise.
• However, India scores only 59.1 in ‘Skills Fit’, showing that its workforce is not fully ready to meet future job demands.
• Although India scores 99.1 in identifying and hiring for future skills, it struggles with preparing people for these roles.
• India ranks 26th in ‘Academic Readiness’, showing gaps in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in education.
• With a very low score of 15.6 in innovation and sustainability readiness, India lags in preparing for future green technologies.
• Limited spending on research and development makes it harder for India to compete globally in renewable energy and eco-friendly innovations.

A Way Forward: Education and Industry Partnership

• India has a big opportunity to upgrade its education system to match global job trends.
• Colleges and universities should focus on creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills through interactive and real-world learning methods.
• Programs like hackathons, startup hubs, and design workshops can help students become more adaptable and innovative.
• A green-focused education is needed, with research centres and community projects that focus on local environmental problems.
• Working closely with companies will help colleges create better job-ready courses and offer real job experience through internships.
• Teachers also need to be trained through workshops, certifications, and global exchange programmes.

Conclusion 

• The government should lead by investing more in skill-building, research, and rural digital infrastructure to reduce gaps between cities and villages.
• A strong policy framework is needed to make India’s higher education system flexible and ready for future challenges. 

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