Kaustuv Das 

(kdas5349@gmail.com)

With the rapid advancement of emerging technologies, our everyday lives—whether at work, at home, or in the evolving nature of job roles—are undergoing significant transformation. In order to keep pace with these changes, acquiring new-age skills has become not just important but essential, particularly for the younger generation. Skilling is quickly becoming the new buzzword, seen as a key to securing sustainable livelihoods in an increasingly competitive global job market.

The reality is becoming clear: academic degrees alone may no longer be enough. The future belongs to those who can combine formal education with practical, in-demand skills. Soon, having a degree without a relevant skill set may not serve the intended purpose, especially when it comes to employability and career growth. To stay relevant and resilient in the face of technological disruption, the youth must embrace continuous learning and skill development.

Keeping in mind the overall development of youth with the passage of time, the United Nations General Assembly designated July 15 as World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) starting in 2014. The day aims to highlight the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. Each year, the day is observed with a specific theme, fostering global discourse and action across various platforms.

This year, the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) celebrated WYSD under the theme “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills.” Echoing this theme, India has also commemorated the day by reaffirming its commitment to youth development. The country continues to invest in skill-building initiatives, empowering young people to contribute meaningfully to nation-building and the vision of a Vikshit Bharat @ 2047 (Developed India).

In this pivotal era of youth development, it is of utmost importance to engage in meaningful discussions on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital skilling. As the global job market continues to evolve, there is a marked shift towards these new skill domains. Recognising this transformation, the premier policy think tank, NITI Aayog, has also emphasized the need for widespread adoption of AI-driven technologies, highlighting how these advancements are transitioning efforts away from traditional jobs and towards emerging livelihoods. This calls for a renewed focus on continuous skilling, innovation, and entrepreneurship to ensure that the youth are not only job-ready but also future-ready.

Despite being one of the youngest countries by age, a significant portion of India’s youth is still not ready to embrace the emerging skill trends that are crucial to thrive in the future job market. While there are some encouraging signs—for instance, the Assam Budget for FY 2025–26 shows a notable decline in the unemployment rate from 9.9% in 2020 to 7.9% in 2024—there remains much to be done.

This decline is undoubtedly a positive indicator and reflects the impact of initiatives like the Government of Assam’s Direct Recruitment processes for various jobs. However, the larger picture still presents challenges. Many youths remain unemployed and are forced to migrate to other states or countries in search of livelihood opportunities.

It is important to recognise that government jobs can absorb less than 1% of the educated youth population. This leaves a vast, talented, and potential-rich segment of young people outside the formal job market—often due to a lack of required skills or an over-dependence on the hope of securing a government position.

To harness the full potential of India’s demographic dividend and make meaningful progress toward the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, we must prioritise skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling at a national scale. These efforts will enhance employability, reduce dependence on public sector employment, and prepare the youth for opportunities in emerging sectors driven by innovation and technology.

Skilling the youth is not just an employment issue—it’s a nation-building strategy. The future of India depends on how effectively we equip our young population with the skills needed to lead, innovate, and drive economic growth across all sectors.

It is worth mentioning that Advantage Assam 2.0 has unlocked numerous skill development investments, which are expected to significantly enhance the skill landscape in Assam over the coming years. Initiatives such as the establishment of a Skill Hub for Overseas Employment and a Centre of Excellence for Semiconductor Technology will play a crucial role in boosting the skill sets of Assam’s youth. Advantage Assam 2.0 also served as a wake-up call for the state’s education and skill development sectors, highlighting the urgent need to align with industry demands. Investors are seeking a skilled workforce to operate their industrial units in sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, information technology, and renewable energy.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Chief Minister of Assam has also acknowledged the importance of skill development to provide a skilled workforce for investors in their workshops and workstations in the coming days. At the same time, the state aims to send skilled workers to countries like Japan and Singapore.

Some of the commendable efforts that deserve to be highlighted are expected to significantly transform the education system and the skill development ecosystem in the state, thereby increasing the employability of educated youth.

In a strategic move to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, the Government of Assam has been actively implementing a series of skill development initiatives. These programmes aim to equip the youth with industry-relevant skills, thereby enhancing their employability and contributing to the overall economic development of the state.

The initiatives are being supported through both state budget allocations and central government funding. A key institutional milestone in this journey is the establishment of the Skill Development University at Mangaldai, Darrang, which, along with the Assam Skill Development Mission, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), engineering colleges, medical and management institutions, and universities, will play a pivotal role in training a future-ready workforce.

A notable advancement in the skill ecosystem is the initiative by Pan-IIT alumni to establish 10 Skill Development Centres across the state. With an investment of Rs. 90 crore under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, these centres promise guaranteed placement support, thereby ensuring that skill acquisition leads to tangible employment outcomes.

Moreover, the introduction of digital platforms like the Atmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASEEM) is another forward-looking measure. ASEEM aims to connect skilled individuals with prospective employers, creating a seamless match between market demand and workforce capabilities.

These coordinated efforts underscore the state’s commitment to developing a robust and inclusive skill development infrastructure. By aligning training programs with real-time industry needs, Assam is paving the way for sustainable employment, economic resilience, and youth empowerment.

The emphasis on skill development through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is crucial for bridging the gap between education and employability. By aligning skill development with traditional academic courses, NEP can help young people gain practical, industry-relevant skills, making them more competitive in the job market.

For this to happen, it is essential to create awareness among students and encourage them to prioritise skill-building alongside their regular academic pursuits. In addition, ensuring that industries, educators, and policymakers collaborate to provide high-quality training programmes and opportunities will be key to the success of these interventions. If done rigorously, this approach can significantly improve employability, economic growth, and overall development.

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