In News:

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has partnered with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to launch the India Skills Accelerator—a national-level public-private collaboration platform aimed at fostering a future-ready and inclusive workforce.

Key Features:

• Purpose: To act as a systemic change enabler in India's skilling ecosystem through a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral approach.
• Core Objectives:
  • Enhance awareness and shift mindsets about the need for future skills.
  • Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing between government, industry, and academia.
  • Reform policies and institutional structures for an agile and responsive skilling framework.
• Sectoral Priorities:
  • Focus on high-growth areas: AI, robotics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, energy, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
  • Emphasis on formalizing the informal workforce.
• Lifelong Learning: Mobilize investments in upskilling and reskilling across various life stages to support agile career transitions.
• Data-Driven Governance: Use surveys, mapping tools, and the WEF’s Global Learning Network for peer benchmarking and progress tracking.
• Implementation Strategy:
  • Identify 10–12 high-impact priorities with measurable outcomes.
  • Establish thematic working groups to ensure coordinated execution.
  • Align initiative with the WEF’s Future of Jobs Report 2025.

Significance

• Addresses the fact that 65% of organizations cite skill gaps as a major barrier to growth.
• Positions India to leverage its demographic dividend and become the "Skill Capital of the World".
• Supports India's goal of skilling not just for domestic needs but also for global workforce demand.
• Reinforces federal cooperation, involving institutions like NSDC, NCVET, DGT, UGC, AICTE, NCERT, and CBSE.