Skill India for Atmanirbhar Bharat

Context: Skill upgradation and development is a prerequisite for achieving the objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. 

Objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

• Short Term Objective: of reviving economy 
• Long Term Objective: of insulating India from any future global economic downturn respectively.
• To Build Capacities across sectors and promote local products. 
• To make the Indian economy robust in the long run by scaling up manufacturing, accelerating infrastructure development, attracting investments and promoting a consumption-led growth.

• Not meant to promote protectionism or isolationism by erecting trade barriers.

Need for Developing and Upgrading Skills

• India’s Demographic Potential: 65% of the population is below 35 years and 50% is below 25 years. 
  • Millennials constitute 47% of the total working population. - The India Skills Report-2020.
• To meet the employment needs of technology-driven 21st century: and accelerate the pace of self-reliance.
  • The fourth industrial revolution triggered a paradigm change with digital technology driving the job market.
• Pandemic Induced Uncertainty: due to lockdowns is threatening the continuity of skill development.
• Worldwide closure of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions. – United Nations.
• School closures across education levels affected 70% of the learners.
• Remote working with increasing adoption of digital technology might continue to be the modus operandi for the foreseeable future.

Way Forward

• Skill development:  is important for seeking employment in the emerging job scenario. 
  • • Skills like Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and cloud computing will suffice the requirement of technology-based companies.
• Ensure equitable employment: through higher participation of women in the workforce.
• Local to glocal: utilising locally available resources, talent, and skills of the human capital for the production of indigenous items like PPE kits, low-cost ventilators.
• Innovation-led knowledge economy: PSUs need to modernise in terms of technology, whereas the private sector must step up investments R&D. 
• Increase manufacturing: to cut down imports and save foreign exchange, especially in areas like medical devices and equipment.

Conclusion: India can remain globally competitive and self-reliant by focusing on skills, scale and speed.