WEF: “Future of Jobs” Report Flashcards
NEWS
With the acceleration in the pace of technological change and the demands for such skills exceeding their supply, digital literacy and upskilling is not anymore optional and rather a necessity. The National Sample Survey (NSS) (2020-21) and LFPS 2020-21 indicate the need to broaden the coverage of IT or computer-based training across various sectors.
So does the Future of Jobs 2023 report (4th edition; first launched in 2016) released recently by the World Economic Forum (WEF) which highlights the creation of 97 million new jobs by 2025 on account of technological advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and other fields.
Notwithstanding the initiatives for digital literacy, India still has a long way to go before it comes at par with the countries with highly skilled workforce.
There is an urgent need for the Indian government, businesses, and educational institutions to invest in digital upskilling initiatives to bridge the existing digital gap and remain competitive and relevant in the global marketplace.
What does the WEF Report say about Tech-Advancement and Job Creation?
Optimistic yet Cautionary Projection: The WEF predicts that while 85 million jobs will become obsolete by 2025, technological advancements in AI and other fields will lead to the creation of 97 million new jobs.
However, the role of machines in the division of labour will continue to increase, especially for repetitive and routine tasks.
The jobs of the future are expected to rely more on data-driven and machine-powered processes.
Tech-driven Shift in India: The WEF has also projected a slightly lower churn in jobs for the labour markets in India over the next 5 years compared to the global average of 23%. The churn in India will largely be technology-driven, via sectors such as AI & ML (machine learning) (38%), followed by data analysts and scientists (33%) and data entry clerks (32%).
The smallest churn, predictably, will be in labour-intensive segments of the economy.
However, the report also shows employers in India and China to remain the most upbeat in terms of future talent availability.
What Factors Indicate that India’s Workforce is Digitally Unprepared
Huge Demand-Supply Gap: As per a report by Nasscom, Draup, and Salesforce, even when taking into account the current talent base of 420,000, there exists a 51% gap between AI & ML and big data analytics’ (BDA) talent demand and supply.
This gap is significantly worse for ML engineers, data scientists, DevOps engineers and data architects where the demand-supply gap is 60-73%.
Shortcomings in Upskilling: The problem is exacerbated by the quality of talent available; an overwhelming number of engineering graduates are unemployable with their current level of skills.
Approximately 30% of the trained workforce in different fields have IT training, yet 29% of individuals with such training are unemployed, pointing towards either inadequate training content or poor training quality that results in low employability.
Apart from the IT sector, the overall skilling effort, across segments of the economy, falls far short of what is required.
For instance, just 22% of those certified under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana have found placement.
Lack of Basic Understanding of Computers: The NSS 2020-21 reveals about 42% of the country’s youth has a basic understanding of copying or moving files or using copy and paste tools on a computer.
Additionally, only 10% and 8.6% of youth have knowledge of basic arithmetic formulae in a spreadsheet and creating an electronic presentation using presentation software, respectively. Only 2.4% of youth have programming skills.
Low Investments: India’s investment in mid-career upskilling also remains quite average which has been reflected in the high unemployment rate among those with advanced education.
How can India Make its Workforce Digitally Prepared?
Revamping Skills and Investments: the digital transformation.
Special Focus on IT Skills:
Alternate Talent Pools:
