In his guest column, Dr. Shashiranjan Jha, Associate Vice President of Education and Skill Development at IPE Global, discusses the challenges and opportunities India faces in the era of automation. He highlights that while India is expected to contribute about 20% to the global workforce growth from 2023 to 2050, only 48.7% of its youth are currently considered employable, with 75% of organizations reporting significant skills gaps.
He emphasises that automation is transforming job markets, particularly in sectors like manufacturing, retail, and transportation, leading to the displacement of routine tasks. He cites a McKinsey Global Institute report predicting that by 2030, up to 375 million workers worldwide may need to shift to different occupational categories due to mechanization.
To address these challenges, Dr. Jha advocates for aligning education with evolving job demands by integrating technology and data literacy into curricula, fostering soft skills such as teamwork and adaptability, and supporting lifelong learning and reskilling opportunities. He argues that building core competencies and life skills will enable individuals to adapt and innovate effectively across different situations, ensuring a robust workforce capable of navigating the uncertainties of an automated future
