Pune: “Considering the speed at which the world is changing today, it will be important to develop skills that will help India’s youth address not just today’s needs but also equip them to be able to respond to the needs of future technologies,” said Andreas Lauermann, President and Managing Director of automobiles major Volkswagen Group in India.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the third Skills Conclave hosted by the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MCCIA) at Sheraton Grand, on Friday.
RCM Reddy, MD and CEO, IL&FS Education, Dr Anant Sardeshmukh, Director General, MCCIA and Vishwas Mahajan, Secretary, MCCIA and Global Trustee, TIE were also present on the occasion.
Lauermann further added, “The new trends of 3D printing and robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digitisation are changing the industry drastically, and creating new business models. New digital platforms are changing the parameters of success, which was evident in the success stories of Uber, Netflix, AirBnb, etc.”
RCM Reddy said that although demographic dividend is presently India’s strength, it’s employability is highly doubtful. “Though the need for skills is a dynamic concept and the skills necessary for different industries may change according to changes in technology, it is important to inculcate the values of creation, collaboration and analytical approach.
Skills training should form part of education at school and college levels and those who enter work force at a young age should get an opportunity to pursue academics in a way that is suitable to their work routine. Initiatives such as B-Voc will go a long way in achieving this.”
He also suggested that skills development programmes should not be restricted to programmes of a few hours but should become comprehensive programmes of long-term duration so that the skills acquired by the trainees are globally viable.
Earlier, in his welcome address, MCCIA Director General Anant Sardeshmukh said, “Skills development will play a key role in enhancing the contribution of manufacturing sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Youth trained in various skills will be able to offer many services to industry and this will encourage entrepreneurship and boost employment.”