Government looks to position India as manpower supplier to world

NEW DELHI: Skilling and job creation will be a major theme in the Budget as govERNMENt seeks to fill a critical gap and in the process boost income and demand in the economy.

Indian companies are looking for skilled workers, including at construction sites within the country, and the skilling initiative will help meet domestic as well as overseas demand.

One of the issues being discussed is to position India as a manpower supplier to the world at a time when the country has a young population, while Europe, Japan and several other economies grapple with an ageing population. While Indian technology and medical workers are in high demand, govt is keen to arm others, including blue collar workers such as drivers, plumbers, and health workers, to fill the gap in several advanced economies.

The international arm of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is trying to train young men and women for jobs available in countries such as Romania, Finland, Russia, Germany, Saudi Arabia and UAE. NSDC has placed nearly 60,000 young men and women in Japan, Germany, Israel, UK, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

While the initial numbers may appear small, the demand from overseas is rising rapidly. The attraction of better wages and working conditions and the promise of a new life is prompting many to opt for foreign language and skill development courses. Several centres are being run to impart language and other training to equip the youth for jobs in Europe, Japan and West Asia.

Sources said that aspects related to employment, including higher women participation in the Indian economy, have been discussed in detail with the labour ministry and some steps are likely in the Budget, which will be presented on Saturday.

The measures will be in addition to those already taken in the last Budget, including the internship scheme, which has so far seen a muted response. As the ministry of corporate affairs seeks to revamp the scheme, more steps are likely to ensure a smooth rollout.

While the official unemployment rate is low, govt's critics have argued that the problem is acute and the Centre needs to explore new areas to promote jobs. The use of technology and equipment, from road and building construction to AI, has made the jobs challenge more complex.


Get real-time updates on Budget 2025 and Income Tax Slabs on Times of India. Check out the latest income tax slabs FY 2025-26.