Introduction
The India Skills Report 2024, a collaborative project by Wheebox, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Confederation of Indian Industry, and Association of Indian Universities, has shed light on the skill landscape in India, particularly in relation to the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the workforce. Aimed at evaluating the potential of India’s youth, the report was compiled based on the responses of 3.88 lakh participants from various academic institutions across the country.
Understanding Wheebox and its Impact on Skill Assessment
Wheebox, headquartered in India, is a global pioneer in remote proctored assessments and consulting services. With a strong presence in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries, Wheebox conducts millions of evaluations for corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide, providing insights into employability trends and skill gaps.
India’s Prominence in the AI Sector
According to the India Skills Report 2024, India stands out globally with a significant penetration of AI skills and talent concentration. As of August 2023, India housed 4.16 lakh AI professionals, and this number is expected to soar to 1 million by 2026. However, India also experiences a demand-supply gap of 60%-73% in key AI roles such as Machine Learning (ML) engineer, data scientist, DevOps engineer, and data architect.
Trends in Youth Employability
The report indicates an improvement in the employability of India’s youth, which stands at 51.25%. States like Haryana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Telangana are noted for their high concentration of employable young population.
Analysis of Age-Specific Employability
Different age groups in India show varying levels of employability. Interestingly, states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra house significant talent in the 22 to 25 years age bracket. At the same time, Telangana and Kerala boast of high employability rates in the 18-21 age group. Gujarat tops the chart for employable resources in the 26-29 age bracket.
City-Wise Distribution of Employable Talent
The study identified Pune, Bengaluru, and Trivandrum as top cities with employable talent in the 18-21 age group. In contrast, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Bengaluru fare well in the 22-25 age category.
Workplace Preferences Among the Youth
Kerala emerged as the most preferred workplace for both male and female employable candidates, with Cochin being particularly favored by women.
The Role of AI Integration in Learning
Incorporating AI into learning sciences can provide personalized and actionable insights, thereby boosting professional development. The report identifies this integration as crucial for the future of workplaces.
Industry Preparedness for the AI Revolution
The India Skills Report 2024 also anticipates companies to invest more in upskilling initiatives, especially in early career programs, to meet the challenges posed by AI.
Need for Collaborative Efforts
The report calls for a united front involving government bodies, businesses, and educational institutions to tackle challenges and focus on inclusive upskilling initiatives triggered by AI.
India’s Initiatives to Boost AI
Several initiatives like INDIAai, Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), the US India Artificial Intelligence Initiative, Responsible AI for Youth, and AI Research, Analytics and Knowledge Assimilation Platform signify India’s efforts to take stride in AI.
Government’s Role in Skill Development
The government has launched various initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, SANKALP Scheme, TEJAS Skilling Project, and Skill India to enhance the skills and employability of the Indian youth.
In sum, the India Skills Report 2024 presents a comprehensive overview of the country’s evolving skills landscape, employability trends, and the impact of AI on job scenarios. It suggests a heightened focus on AI integration, upskilling, and collaborative efforts to harness the full potential of India’s burgeoning talent pool.