The recently published “Young India and Work” study by the Observer Research Foundation and World Economic Forum reveals an intriguing disconnect. Despite over seventy percent of Indian youth expressing a keen interest in skills development programs, 70% remain unaware of such training opportunities run by the government. This disparity casts a spotlight on the broader issue – the misalignment between young Indians’ aspirations and the strategies implemented to foster their skill sets for future employability.
Understanding India’s Demographic Advantage
India is witnessing a notable demographic trend with about 1.3 million people reaching working age every month. Given that half of the country’s population of approximately 1.3 billion is younger than 25 years, there lies a potentially significant demographic advantage. However, realizing this benefit amid a rapidly evolving technological landscape and shifting economic conditions requires an intimate understanding of the expectations and ambitions of India’s youth.
Key Findings of the Survey
The survey illuminates several important perceptions among India’s young populace. Almost all respondents (96%) aspire to attain a bachelor’s degree or higher, while 76% have expressed a high interest in skills training. When job searching, respondents prioritized a good salary, career advancement prospects, and job security.
Interestingly, while nearly half of the surveyed youth preferred public sector jobs, about 38% saw entrepreneurship as their ideal professional path. The largest proportion of employed participants (17%) reported working in IT, communications, and telecommunications.
However, more than a third of those surveyed were neither employed nor in education. In the 26-30 age bracket, 50% of female respondents were unemployed and not enrolled in educational institutions. Women were found to prefer full-time careers, yet they reported having less work experience and feeling less prepared for their desired careers.
| Age Group | Percentage Not Employed or in Education |
|---|---|
| 15-20 | Most in education |
| 21-25 | Over 30% |
| 26-30 (Female) | 50% |
Identifying the Discrepancies
The study identifies a troubling disconnect between youth aspirations and available resources. Admittedly, while a majority of young Indians are enthusiastic about gaining new skills, most remain oblivious to government-run skill development opportunities.
This lack of awareness and low participation in such programs is often attributed to financial constraints, time limitations, or the duration between training and securing an appropriate job. Additionally, the survey noted a trend among youth to explore employment opportunities away from their locality, contrasting with recruiters’ inclination towards local hiring.
The Digital Disconnect and Barriers to Career Aspirations
The field of job-searching has largely moved online, with 81% of respondents relying on digital media and internet sources for vacancies and opportunities. However, only 14% of companies reported using online sources for recruitment.
Furthermore, 51% of surveyed youth have cited inadequate guidance in identifying suitable jobs as a key barrier. Concurrently, 41% identified their lack of work experience as the primary impediment, while 81% viewed internships or apprenticeships as crucial stepping stones to getting hired.
Way Forward
Indian youth’s optimism and ambition, highlighted by the survey, opens avenues for the country to build an inclusive future of work amid technological disruptions. However, achieving this requires a more comprehensive approach that incorporates young India’s aspirations into proposed solutions.
