While stating that labour productivity in India is far less than that in China and South Korea, the Government has confessed that it is facing a major problem in getting skilled and employable manpower. This is especially in the electrical equipment industry where requirement is likely to increase to 35 lakh by the end of this year.
It is estimated that presently the industry provides direct and indirect employment to 5 lakh and 10 lakh people respectively. This requirement is estimated to increase to 15 lakh direct employment and 20 lakh indirect by the end of this year, according to the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
It said that the electrical equipment industry is facing a major problem in getting skilled and employable manpower which is technically competent, equipped with skills and ready to be deployed. “The industry is facing a looming skill gap, which is widening every year. Due to lack of skilled manpower, electrical equipment industry is suffering as it is affecting critical functions like R&D, consultancy, design and detailed engineering work,” a Ministry note added.
The Ministry said that the technical education system in the country does not promote innovative thinking, adding that training being provided in the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) is outdated and students there are not able to meet the aspirations of the industry. Even qualified supervisors and engineers are not available. Those who are qualified are not well trained to meet the technical needs of the industry. Due to these factors labour productivity is far less than labour productivity in China and Korea.
The power sector and the Ministry, hence has been keen on changes being made to the curricula of polytechnics and engineering colleges, so that those entering the workforce are more competent and fit into the system easily. In fact, the Ministry has said that this is one of the important reasons that is making the industry non-competitive and effecting the timely completion of the projects.
