Acute scarcity of skilled workers threatens Indian economy

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NEW DELHI, (Internet): An acute shortage of skilled workers is posing a major threat to the Indian economy. The planning commission estimates that only 20 per cent of the 12.8 million entering the work force annually get some formal training.

The plan panel has assessed that in an economy growing at the rate of "over nine per cent," skill development poses major challenges. At the same time, it opens up "unprecedented doors of opportunity" if the process of skill enhancement is carried out in an integrated manner.

"Time is just running out. The task of skill development must be taken seriously," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia warned recently, adding that public-private partnership was needed to meet the requirement of skilled workers.

The planning commission has estimated that the ageing economy phenomenon would globally create "a skilled manpower shortage of about 46 million by 2020." If India can get its skill development act right, it will have a skilled manpower surplus of around 47 million.

"India should have 500 million skilled technicians by 2022. The task is onerous, but not impossible. Persistent efforts are needed to build capacity with focus on the workers in unorganised sector," says Harmit Sethi, director, skill development, confederation of Indian industry (CII).

Skilled workers not only mean enhanced output but also increase their employability manifold. They can go overseas looking for jobs, as all of them may not get one in the country. Or they can be self-employed.

"The organised sector accommodates only 16 per cent of the total work force while the rest is in unorganised sector. There are around 300 million workers in the unorganised sector. There is a need to transform them into an asset by enhancing their skills," Sethi told IANS.

Agreed Sudha Pillai, secretary in the ministry of labour and employment.