In an ambitious initiative aimed at bridging the growing demand-supply gap in the Indian telecom sector, the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) has set a goal to train and place over 1.5 lakh candidates in the next financial year. This move comes at a crucial time when the industry is experiencing a surge in demand for skilled workers, particularly with the advent of 5G technology.
The TSSC, recognizing the potential of India’s youth, especially in tier II and III cities, and rural areas, is focusing on imparting digital and core telecom and tech skills. This is a strategic effort to leverage the increasing convergence of telecom with the technology sector, a trend further accelerated by the launch of 5G.
India’s telecom sector, which is the third-largest industry in the country, accounts for approximately 6.5% of all foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow. With projections indicating that India will account for 11% of all 5G subscriptions worldwide by 2027, the need for skilled workers is more pressing than ever. The TSSC CEO, Arvind Bali, emphasized the significance of reskilling and hiring strategies that target talent in smaller cities and university pass-outs to meet this demand.
In the broader perspective, India is expected to require a staggering 22 million skilled workers in 5G-focused industries by 2025, spanning areas like cloud computing, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The current employment in the industry stands at 11.59 million, which includes both corporate and blue-collar workers. However, there is a significant telecom demand-supply gap of 2.41 million, which is expected to rise further by 2030. A major challenge lies in the employability of graduates, with only 40% of computer science, IT, and math graduates currently meeting the tech sector’s requirements.
To bridge this gap, the TSSC has undertaken various skill development projects, including government schemes under the Skill India mission and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushalya Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0). These initiatives are crucial in equipping India’s youth with the necessary skills to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
In conclusion, the TSSC’s efforts reflect a proactive approach to tackling the challenges of a rapidly evolving telecom industry. By focusing on training and placement, the Council is not only addressing the immediate needs of the industry but also investing in the future workforce of India, a move that is likely to have far-reaching impacts on the country’s technological landscape and economic growth.