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The electronics sector stands at a transformative crossroads, where its potential to drive global innovation is overshadowed by a critical challenge: the widening skills gap. Despite India’s ambitions to become a global electronics leader, the lack of a skilled workforce threatens to derail its growth. According to our latest report on People Supply Chain with ROI: Empowering the Electronics Sector, the industry is projected to create 12 million jobs by FY 2027-28 but faces a daunting 10 million skill deficit. For organizations, the ability to attract and nurture skilled talent is quickly becoming the defining factor for long-term success.

The Root Causes of the Skills Gap:

India’s electronics sector is grappling with a significant workforce challenge driven by a combination of factors. Traditional academic programs often fail to keep up with the rapid technological advancements in the industry, leaving graduates underprepared for core roles that demand practical expertise. Compounding this issue is the limited availability of specialized talent, as niche skills required for electronics manufacturing remain scarce. Additionally, the adoption of advanced technologies and the scaling of operations have intensified the demand for highly skilled workers, a demand that the current workforce struggles to meet. Together, these challenges are widening the gap between industry needs and workforce readiness, underscoring the urgent need for innovative and targeted solutions. 

Apprenticeships can emerge as an innovative  solution to address this talent deficit. By combining practical training with industry-aligned curricula, these programs provide an actionable pathway for businesses to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world requirements.

Why Apprenticeships are the Right Solution?

Apprenticeships offer a flexible and practical approach to workforce development by equipping individuals with job-specific skills while enabling them to earn as they learn. Unlike traditional educational models, apprenticeships focus on real-world application, ensuring that trainees gain competencies aligned with industry demands.

Here’s how they can help bridge the skills gap in the electronics sector:

1. Building a Talent Pipeline for the Electronics Sector

The impact of apprenticeships in India’s electronics sector is already visible. As of FY 2023-24, apprentices in electronics accounted for 58% of all apprentices across electronics, renewables, and repair and maintenance sectors. With an annual growth rate of 55%, the sector is projected to host 1 million apprentices by 2027. Organizations such as the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) are leading this transformation by designing targeted training programs. These include PCB assembly, electronics mechanics, battery operations, and service engineering. Apprenticeships not only meet current demands but also prepare the workforce for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductor advancements. This systematic approach ensures a steady pipeline of industry-ready talent capable of driving innovation and supporting growth.

2.Strengthening Industry-Academia Collaboration

The gap between education and employment can be significantly narrowed through robust industry-academia partnerships. Apprenticeships embedded within degree programs—such as those outlined in the National Education Policy’s Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programs (AEDP)—are a game-changer. These initiatives ensure that students graduate with both academic knowledge and practical experience, directly addressing workforce readiness. By FY 2027-28, this strategy has the potential to double the flow of employable talent, creating a sustainable model where academia produces graduates who can seamlessly transition into industry roles. Stronger collaboration between educational institutions and businesses ensures that training remains aligned with evolving market needs, enabling the workforce to keep pace with industry growth.

3. Focus on Large Scale Upskilling and Reskilling 

While apprenticeships focus on new talent, reskilling and upskilling are essential for the existing workforce to remain competitive. With over 50% of the workforce in the electronics sector needing advanced skills to adapt to technological advancements, large-scale initiatives are crucial. Reskilling programs help employees acquire new competencies, while upskilling enhances their existing capabilities to meet shifting industry demands. A coordinated effort involving government policies, industry stakeholders, and training organizations ensures that the workforce remains agile and prepared for future challenges. Such initiatives not only enhance productivity but also promote a culture of continuous learning, making businesses more resilient in a rapidly changing market.

The electronics sector’s success hinges on its ability to overcome the skills gap with a holistic and forward-thinking approach. Apprenticeships, combined with broader workforce development strategies, offer a powerful solution. Doubling apprenticeship growth to 2 million by 2027, expanding ITI enrollment to accommodate more students in technical fields, and incentivizing businesses to adopt apprenticeship programs are critical steps that can create a sustainable talent pipeline.

These efforts must be bolstered by strong industry-academia collaboration and large-scale reskilling initiatives to ensure the workforce remains agile and future-ready. For organizations, this is not just about addressing immediate talent shortages—it’s about building a competitive advantage in an increasingly skills-driven market.

By investing in these strategies today, businesses can bridge the skills gap, empower a skilled workforce, and secure their position in a rapidly evolving industry. As India strives to become a global leader in electronics, these coordinated efforts will be the foundation of sustained growth, innovation, and long-term success.