Access to Skilled Labour: The Workforce Powering India’s Manufacturing Sector

Jan 6, 2025
reftecksolutions

The country that recently celebrated its 78th Independence Day is famous for its global manufacturing arena, making waves and drawing foreign companies to set up production facilities here.

Can you guess which country we are talking about?

With a growing population of 1.2 billion, India is poised to become the next powerhouse in the manufacturing sector.

Economic Times India cites that the skilled workforce contributes over 17% to the country's GDP. Projections even suggest that India’s economic expansion will skyrocket by 2030.

But how has the country’s manufacturing revolution journey raised so much that big giants like Apple, Samsung, Siemens, Toyota, and Bosch are operating their manufacturing units in India?

Why has India received so many significant investments in production facilities from top international businesses, reflecting the country's expanding significance as a global manufacturing hub?

Also, do you think India's workforce plays a key role in driving growth and making the nation a leading manufacturing powerhouse?

Let’s find out!

 India’s Skilled Workforce

The backbone of India’s manufacturing growth: The skilled workforce

India has established itself as a significant contender in the global manufacturing sector, demonstrating advanced skills in a range of industries. The country's skilled workforce is a crucial asset, although often overlooked or undervalued.

This human capital often consists of skilled engineers, technicians and experienced factory workers who cater to the growing needs of both local and international businesses.

The government has also actively assisted and formed these sectors with talented individuals through various means. Programs like the “Skill India Mission” provide these young people with specialised training that helps them further contribute towards India’s growth and economy.

These programs help people learn new skills, improve their skills, and ensure that businesses can always find workers who are good at their jobs.

India has emerged as an appealing location for foreign companies due to its highly skilled workforce, which is proficient in utilising the latest tools and resources.

So, do you want a young and dynamic workforce for your next project?
Consider investing in a team with the necessary skills to help you excel in your business in the manufacturing arena.

How are India’s engineers powering the manufacturing sector?

India has some of the most highly skilled engineers in the world, which serves as the basis for the nation’s production capacity. More than 1.5 lakh students become engineers yearly, and many have even received training at esteemed universities like the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). These talented individuals are crucial in numerous design, development, and manufacturing sectors.

Moreover, India’s engineers are leading the way in manufacturing innovation. Businesses like Larsen & Toubro, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Tata Motors use this talented workforce to produce innovative products that are exported and consumed domestically.

Engineers in India possess advanced skills in tackling complex challenges, with many focusing on areas such as automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence, all of which are crucial for the future of the manufacturing sector.

Government plans like “Make in India” have escalated the growth of engineering talent by fostering an environment that encourages innovation and technical training.

Now, let's move to the next section, discussing how this workforce contributes to various manufacturing sectors.

Skilled Workforce Powering the Manufacturing Sector

Role of India's skilled workforce in several sectors

While engineering remains the backbone of India’s manufacturing sector, industries like textiles, electronics and automotive also benefit from the country’s large pool of talented workers. Here’s how:

Automotive Sector

India's skilled workforce makes its automotive sector the largest in the world. Since this sector hires millions of employees across the country, it includes employees from assembly line workers to engineers specialising in design, manufacturing, and testing.

That’s why companies such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Hyundai mostly rely on India's talented workforce pool to create premium automobiles at affordable prices.

Thanks to the private and government-based training programs and apprenticeships that ensure that the workforce in this sector remains up-to-date with what’s currently trending. Through such programs, they become highly adeptive to the evolving needs of the global market.

Electronics Sector

The rising need for semiconductor components, telecommunications equipment, and consumer electronics is fuelling India’s electronics industry’s expansion. The government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) program has drawn industry titans like Apple and Samsung to set up production facilities in India, significantly increasing employment in this field.

These workers assist in electronics manufacturing by ensuring quality control, testing, and assembly. They undergo specialised training in operating heavy and challenging machinery, which helps them produce everything from smartphones to high-end medical equipment. This industry is predicted to grow exponentially over the next ten years as India establishes itself as a global leader in electronics manufacturing.

Textiles

India has a long history in the textile sector, and it's the most crucial sector of the country. Since it employs more than 45 million people, it has a vast range of handloom weavers to modern textile engineers. Indian workers are very talented and famous for making beautiful things from materials like silk, cotton, and wool, which many people worldwide want to buy.

Modern textile units have come a long way in cities like Surat, Tirupur and Ludhiana. Because of this, India is not just good at making traditional fabrics but also at creating unique fabrics for sports clothes, medical use, and other industries.

Overall, India’s human capital has the best expertise and experience, allowing its GDP to grow daily and offering the best to foreign companies.

Conclusion

To conclude, we have already discussed how India’s skilled workforce can change how a foreign business operates and earns profits. India’s human capital offers the knowledge and flexibility needed to satisfy the needs of manufacturing worldwide, whether in engineering, electronics, textiles, or automobiles.

The country’s talented workforce will remain one of its most significant assets if foreign businesses invest there, guaranteeing its position as a prominent player in the global industrial scene.

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