Currently, India is encountering challenges in cultivating a highly skilled workforce, particularly in rising industries like IT, IT-BPM, BFSI, and healthcare. Decoding Indian rural youth’s talent potential and job preferences, Vertex Global Survey conducted a survey that reveals over 40 per cent of youth in rural regions face challenges in securing jobs due to limited access to vocational training, skill development, and language proficiency. There is an urgent need to address the talent deficits and skill gaps within key industries to position the country as the third-largest global economy.
One of the most significant barriers identified in the Vertex Global Services survey is the language proficiency gap, particularly affecting the rural youth. Strong communication skills are essential for accessing better employment opportunities, and many respondents expressed a desire to improve their English fluency to advance their careers. The survey, which gathered insights from 1,200 youths and working individuals across five states—Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh—paints a clear picture of the potential for positive change. To reach India’s ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy, the government of India has introduced several initiatives and schemes to boost the skilling sector in India.
Founder and CEO of Vertex Global Services emphasized, “The government is doing a commendable job by introducing various initiatives such as the “Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)” under the Skill India Mission and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme. However, language proficiency and access to vocational training remain significant barriers. There is an urgent need for the stakeholders to harness these initiatives and focus on improving vocational training, enhancing language skills, and increasing accessibility through public-private partnerships. Addressing these challenges will lead the country towards a more skilled and robust workforce for the emerging industries in the country.”
India’s rural workforce is predominantly composed of informal employment, a situation exacerbated by the striking divide between rural and urban areas. The survey highlighted that 33% of the respondents highlighted the challenge of limited job opportunities in their region. This is compelling the youth to migrate from rural regions to urban centers in search of enhanced training and industry exposure as well as higher-paying jobs.
27% of respondents underscored financial constraints as one of the major challenges in securing good job opportunities. Many cited an inability to invest in essential training or travel to urban areas, as they currently lack the skills needed for higher-paying positions. They highlighted a strong need for financial assistance to help them advance their careers. Although they possess educational qualifications, their financial circumstances often limit their ability to pursue better job opportunities in urban centers, where prospects are more abundant. Addressing these barriers could significantly enhance their career potential and overall economic stability.
The survey by Vertex Global Services demands better implementation of the schemes and initiatives to bolster the skilling, training, and employment opportunities in rural areas. To further bridge this rural-urban gap, Times Square Headquartered Vertex Global Services has announced its plan to hire 4,000 language experts from India’s Tier II and Tier III cities in the next 3 to 5 years to boost employment and support the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
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