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As businesses race to capitalize on the booming electronics market, a critical challenge looms: the lack of skilled professionals is creating inefficiencies, raising costs, and threatening growth trajectories. The surging demand for talent in specialized roles like manufacturing, electronics design, and troubleshooting has exposed a critical gap in workforce readiness. Fueled by transformative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Industry 4.0, the sector’s rapid expansion risks losing momentum if these skill shortages remain unaddressed. Without urgent action to bridge this gap, both industry growth and innovation could stall.

The scale of this challenge becomes evident when we look at the numbers. By FY 2027-28, India’s electronics industry is expected to create 12 million direct and indirect jobs. However, a workforce shortfall of 8 million looms large, along with an additional 10 million roles affected by a lack of necessary skills. This gap stems from three core issues: educational outcomes failing to meet industry needs, an insufficient supply of specialized expertise, and the accelerating adoption of advanced technologies that demand a highly skilled workforce. These factors make it clear that addressing this gap is critical to sustaining the sector’s growth.

Employability Challenges and Workforce Realities of the Electronics Sector

While the industry’s potential for job creation is vast, employability in electronics remains a bottleneck. Graduates from specialized streams like electronics and electrical engineering demonstrate an employability rate of around 60%, but this figure drops to 40% for ITI-qualified candidates and ranges between 38% to 55% for graduates from general fields like B.A. and B.Com. This mismatch between skills and job requirements highlights a need for targeted interventions to better prepare the workforce.

The electronics sector spans several critical subsectors, each driving demand for skilled talent. Communication and broadcast electronics require expertise in mobile telecommunications, routers, and modems, while consumer electronics demand professionals skilled in the design and production of TVs, digital cameras, and other household appliances. Automotive electronics, powered by the rise of electric vehicles and advanced engine systems, represents another rapidly growing area. Meanwhile, industrial electronics continues to rely on expertise in power systems, LED lighting, and energy meters. These diverse subsectors underscore the need for a workforce equipped with both foundational and emerging skills to meet evolving industry demands and emerging roles.

Emerging Roles Shaping the Electronics Sector

The rapid adoption of advanced technologies and automation is reshaping workforce needs in the electronics industry, creating opportunities for highly specialized roles. These roles not only address current technological demands but also position the sector for long-term innovation and sustainability.

• Key roles include semiconductor fabrication technicians who ensure precision in chip manufacturing and IoT integration specialists, responsible for optimizing machine-to-machine communication in smart manufacturing environments. 

• Cybersecurity analysts are also becoming essential to safeguard sensitive production data in connected factories, where risks of cyber threats are rising.

• Sustainability is another growing priority, with positions like green manufacturing consultants focusing on reducing environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, and streamlining waste management processes. Similarly, energy efficiency engineers are leading efforts to integrate sustainable practices into manufacturing operations while maintaining high productivity.

• Automation and robotics are also redefining job roles. Robotics engineers and mechatronics experts design and implement automated solutions that enhance production efficiency and precision. 

• Additionally, roles like PCB designers and process control engineers ensure that the backbone of electronic devices and manufacturing systems is both functional and optimized.

These emerging roles are transforming how the electronics industry operates, but they also emphasize the importance of adaptable professionals. Furthermore, this evolution in job roles reflects the versatile nature of the electronics sector and the need for targeted training to prepare for these opportunities.

Bridging the Electronics Skill Gap

As the electronics sector evolves with advanced technologies and emerging roles, bridging the skill gap requires targeted solutions. Apprenticeships, which have grown to 91,341 apprentices as of 2023-24 and are expected to reach 1 million by 2027, are critical to equipping the workforce with practical, industry-aligned skills. To meet the growing demand for skilled talent, this number must double to 2 million apprentices, ensuring a steady talent pipeline.

Collaboration across academia, industry, and government is vital. Educational institutions must align curriculums with industry needs and integrate apprenticeships through frameworks like the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programs (AEDP) to produce a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. Expanding ITI capacity and launching large-scale reskilling programs targeting 50% of the current workforce will further bolster the talent pool.

While challenges persist, these efforts offer a path to build a workforce capable of meeting future industry demands. With collective action, India can close the skill gap and position its electronics sector for global leadership and sustained growth.