Indo – EU Seminar on Skills Development, Training and Employment

1. Indo – EU Seminar on Skills Development, Training and Employment “Skills & Training in a Globalised World Economy” Lt Gen (Retd) S S Mehta, PVSM, AVSM and Bar, VSM Director General Confederation of Indian Industry

2. India • Size: 2,973,190 sq km • Population: 1096 Mn • Languages: National – Hindi (14 other official languages)-English enjoys Associate Status. • Multi Ethnic,Multi Religious; Pluralistic Society • Largest Democracy. • Confluence of Civilizations

3. India • One of the fastest growing economies – avg 7% since 1994 and 7.5 - 8.1% in 2005. • Inflation – 4-5 %. • Forex Reserves – USD 150 Bn. • GDP – USD 650 Bn. • Leadership in ICT.

4. Challenges • Social Appreciation of Skills As a Livelihood Asset • Linking Education to Employability in the Global Knowledge Economy. • No One Solution. Every Region demands an innovative approach.

5. India’s Advantage • Demographic • Societal Building Block • English Language • Affinity to Maths • Credible IT Image • Steady Growth Trajectory

6. Snapshot: Global Demographics

7. Global Demographics Scenario 47 Note: Potential Surplus is calculated keeping the ratio of working population (age15-59) to population constant. Source: US Census Bureau; BCG Analysis

8. An Idea • India has the unique opportunity to: • Complement what an ageing world needs the most -- Productive Workers. • Provide investment opportunities for ageing population to earn high levels of post –retirement income.

9. Globalisation A complex series of economic, social, technological, cultural and political changes are increasing interdependence, integration and interaction between people and companies in disparate locations. …. IMF

10. Trends to Watch • Centres of economic activity will shift profoundly, not just globally, but also regionally. • Shifts within regions will be even more dramatic • Today, Asia (Excluding Japan) accounts for 13 percent of the world’s GDP, while Western Europe accounts for more than 30 percent. Within 20 years the two will converge. • ……. Mckinsey Quarterly Web Exclusive 2006

11. Pumping the Global Talent Pipeline: The 21st Century Imperative • Global Talent deficit is fundamental to sustainability. • Owing to the flux in the global economy it is difficult to forecast where a skill shortage will arise next. • External markets are not delivering the right skills at the pace of change …….Infosys Davos 2006 Panel Debate

12. Pumping the Global Talent Pipeline: The 21st Century Imperative • The challenge is to have the right people, at the right place, at the right time. • The Paradox of ‘Skill versus Will’. • The need for the public and private sectors to work together towards the vision of the future. …….Infosys Davos 2006 Panel Debate

13. Skills: A Global Currency • "Skills" are a global currency for a globalising world. • Countries with a significant skills capital can innovate; remain competitive and enable sustainable growth. • “Skills Development” will create inclusive societies. • Global Skills Development should be added as a UN Millennium Goal.

14. India - Sectors Demanding Multi- Level Skills Options • Construction • Finance, Real Estate, Insurance & Business Services • Transport, Storage & Construction • Wholesale & Retails Trade • Manufacturing • Community, Social and Personal Services • Agriculture • Electricity • Mining & Quarrying

15. Four Collar Work Force • White Collar-Well understood across the World Grey Collar–The knowledge worker, which includes ICT Skills, problem solving, analytical and effective communication skills. • Blue Collar–Shop floor work in the manufacturing and service sector. Rust Collar–Skilled worker at the grass root level in currently unorganised and un-benchmarked sectors like – Construction, Agriculture and related trades.

16. Guiding Principles • Independent Assessment and evaluation • Competitive basis for quality • Employment Orientation • Global Benchmarking • Levels and Progression routes • License to Practise

17. Features of the CII ‘Skills Initiative’ • Localised Approach – Relevant to local needs • Scaleability • Short Duration, Focussed Programmes • Modular Approach • Smart Card Certification

18. Smart Card Certification • Biometric Identification • Tamperproof • Multifunctional • Convenient • Access to a gateway of Services • Possibility of bank linkages for Micro-Credit

19. Conclusion • Skills formation delivers not only needed economic benefits but important social benefits as well. • "Skilling a Million Indians" is a catalytic project of CII. • Need for Quality Certification which is credible at Regional, National and International levels.

20. Focus on Developing Human Resource Countries that get addicted to selling their natural resources rarely develop their human resource and the educational and innovative companies that go with that. So, after the ore has been mined, the trees cut, and the oil pumped, their people are actually even more behind. ………Thomas Friedman

21. We need to do more to get each stakeholder deeply involved, to have a sense of where society is going. …… Professor Jagdish Bhagwati

22. What we need is a……. Thought Shift • We need a “thought shift ” from employment to employability ; from providing fish to teaching how to fish. • Our progress will not be worth the trip if we do not give a majority of our people the strength and self esteem that comes with a job . • The Journey has just Begun…..

23. India & EU • Relations go back to early 1960. • India – EU Key Trading Partners • Demographic Dividend • Shared Values: • Democracy • Pluralism • Liberalism • Open, Inclusive Societies EU India

24. Thank You