The Current State of Education and Skilling in India:

• Education System: According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2019, only 44% of children in Class 8 in rural India can read a text meant for Class 2 students in their regional language. This highlights the need for quality education that focuses on foundational skills and prepares students for higher levels of learning.
• Skilling Landscape: As of September 2021, the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a flagship skilling scheme by the Indian government, has trained over 13 million individuals in various sectors. However, there is still a significant gap in skilling the workforce to meet the demands of the future job market.

7.1 Future of Work: A Global View

• The Changing Nature of Work:
  
  1. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, the division of labor between humans, machines, and algorithms is projected to shift significantly, with machines performing more tasks than humans in several industries.
  2. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to replace routine and repetitive tasks, while the demand for skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and complex problem-solving is expected to rise.
• Skill Mismatch and Job Market Disruptions:
  
  1. Research by McKinsey Global Institute suggests that by 2030, up to 375 million workers globally may need to switch occupational categories due to automation and digitization.
  2. The International Labour Organization estimates that around 267 million young people are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), often due to a lack of relevant skills.
• The Role of Education in Skill Development:
  
  1. Education plays a crucial role in building a strong foundation of knowledge, fostering critical thinking, and developing social and emotional skills.
  2. However, there is a need to adapt education systems to ensure they are aligned with the changing demands of the future job market.
• Importance of Vocational and Technical Skills:
  
  1. Vocational and technical skills training programs can provide individuals with industry-specific skills and hands-on experience, enhancing their employability.
  2. A study by the OECD reveals that countries with well-developed vocational education and training (VET) systems have lower youth unemployment rates.
• Closing the Gap: Public-Private Partnerships:
  
  1. Collaboration between educational institutions, governments, and the private sector is essential for addressing the skills gap and fostering a future-ready workforce.
  2. The private sector can contribute by actively participating in curriculum development, offering apprenticeships and internships, and providing funding for skilling initiatives.
• Lifelong Learning and Continuous Upskilling:
  
  1. With technology evolving at an unprecedented pace, individuals need to embrace lifelong learning to stay relevant in the job market.
  2. According to the Pew Research Center, 87% of workers believe it will be essential for them to get training and develop new skills throughout their career.
• Embracing Emerging Technologies in Education: a. Technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence can revolutionize education by creating immersive and personalized learning experiences. b. Adaptive learning platforms can provide personalized content, assessments, and feedback tailored to individual student needs.
• Inclusive and Equitable Access to Education and Skilling:
  
  1. To ensure equal opportunities, it is essential to address barriers to access, such as gender disparities, socioeconomic inequalities, and geographic limitations.
  2. UNESCO estimates that closing the gender gap in education could generate significant economic benefits, including an increase in GDP.

7.2 Challenges to Education and Skilling synergia for the Future of Work

• Mismatch between Education/Skilling and Industry: According to the World Economic Forum's "Future of Jobs" report, by 2025, 85 million jobs may be displaced by automation in India. However, at the same time, 97 million new jobs may emerge, which will require different skill sets. The existing education and skilling system are not in consonance to this transition, leading to a mismatch between the skills acquired through formal education and the skills required by the industry.
• Lack of Industry-Academia Collaboration: According to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), only around 40% of engineering graduates in India are employable. One of the reasons for this low employability is the lack of collaboration between educational institutions and industries. As per a survey by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), only 29% of employers in India believe that educational institutions are adequately preparing students for the workforce.
• Limited Access to Quality Education and Skilling: According to the 2018 National Sample Survey (NSS) report, about 32% of the population aged 15 years and above in rural areas of India is illiterate. Moreover, there is a significant disparity in accessing quality education and skilling opportunities between urban and rural areas, as well as among different socio-economic groups. This limited access hinders inclusive growth and widens the skills gap.
• Perception Bias towards Skilled Trades: The societal bias towards traditional academic careers in India often undermines the importance of skilled trades and vocational careers. As a result, there is a lack of interest and awareness among individuals to pursue skilling programs. According to a report by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), only 2.3% of the Indian workforce has undergone formal skill training.

7.3 Potential Solutions

• Curriculum Reforms and Skill Integration: To bridge the gap between education and skilling, curriculum reforms are crucial. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes the integration of vocational education from the secondary level, enabling students to develop practical skills alongside academic knowledge. This integration can equip students with relevant skills and make them job-ready.
• Strengthening Industry-Academia Collaboration: Enhancing collaboration between educational institutions and industries is essential for aligning education with industry needs. The government's initiative of establishing Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) aims to bring together industry stakeholders, academia, and training providers to develop industry-relevant curriculum and ensure the quality of skilling programs.
• Digital and Technological Integration: Digital technologies can play a transformative role in enhancing access to education and skilling opportunities. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), as of March 2021, India had over 624 million internet subscribers, making online learning platforms and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) viable options for providing skilling opportunities to a wider population. Integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics in educational programs can prepare students for future job roles.
• Promoting Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation can foster a culture of self-employment and job creation. The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Startup India are government initiatives that support the establishment of incubation centers, provide mentorship, and facilitate funding for startups. Entrepreneurial education and support ecosystems can nurture students' creativity, problem-solving skills, and business acumen.
• Focus on Lifelong Learning: To address the evolving needs of the future job market, promoting a culture of lifelong learning is crucial. The government's initiative of the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) aims to provide recognition and certification for skills acquired through formal and informal learning. Upskilling and reskilling programs for the existing workforce should be emphasized to ensure their employability in the face of technological disruptions.
• Emerging areas that will require skill training like green jobs, green hydrogen, semiconductors, etc. aligned with the priorities of the Indian economy.

Creating synergy between education and skilling is vital for preparing India's workforce for the future world of work. By addressing the challenges through curriculum reforms, industry-academia collaboration, digital integration, entrepreneurship promotion, and a focus on lifelong learning, India can bridge the gap between education and skilling. These solutions, backed by data, can empower individuals, enhance employability, and drive the nation's progress in the ever-evolving job market. It requires concerted efforts from the government, educational institutions, industries, and society as a whole to foster a strong collaboration between education and skilling in India.