With capacity expansion being undertaken by manufacturing firms, coupled with setting up of manufacturing plants in India by foreign firms, the domestic manufacturing sector is throwing up huge employment opportunities  Youngsters willing to make a career in India’s manufacturing sector now have a reason to rejoice. The sector that contributes significantly to the country’s GDP will create nearly 30 lakh jobs this year, as per experts. Commenting on this, Naveen Srivastava, proprietor of Illumination India, a mid-sized manufacturer of LED lights in Mumbai, says, “With capacity expansion plans being undertaken by numerous manufacturing firms, the need for employees automatically rises. Moreover, with foreign firms setting up their manufacturing units in the country, employment opportunities are on a rise in the sector. With India emerging as one of the leading countries in manufacturing competence, most global firms are looking to tap the skills of the Indian workforce.” Notably, according to a report titled ‘2010 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index’ by Deloitte and the US Council on Competitiveness, India is ranked second in terms of manufacturing competence globally.
Power, auto sector to generate employment
According to Ravi Jain, managing director of Ravi Transmission products, a mid-sized manufacturer of auto ancillary units in Mumbai, “Employment opportunities in the sector will get a thrust from growth in segments such as power, telecom, automobiles etc. Mega projects undertaken in these sectors will boost employment opportunities. Moreover, manufacturing firms are looking forward to workforce who can develop products not only for the local market but also cater to the demand of international market.” However, Mr Jain expressed his concerns about the influx of cheap products particularly from countries like China, thereby impeding growth of domestic firms.
With Indian manufacturing firms eyeing big investments in the coming months as well as setting up of Visionary Leaders for Manufacturing (VLFM) Institute in Tamil Nadu by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), aiming to create leadership capabilities, the skills and demand of Indian workforce engaged in manufacturing will be further bolstered.
Arup Choudhury |
