Industry experts and the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) emphasized the need for accelerated skilling and employment reforms in 2026 to harness India’s potential as a global talent hub. With a significant youth population and a large working-age group, collaboration among government, industry, and academia is crucial for seizing opportunities.
Experts acknowledged the government’s efforts through initiatives like the National Education Policy 2020 and the Skill India Mission but highlighted the necessity for enhanced implementation to meet the increasing demand. Presently, only slightly over half of Indian youth are deemed employable, while the annual training capacity falls short of the workforce influx.
Debmalya Sen, President of IESA, raised concerns about a substantial skill gap in the renewable energy sector, estimating a need for approximately 1.7 million skilled professionals by 2027. Similarly, Vinayak Walimbe of Customized Energy Solutions projected a requirement of 35 million green jobs by 2047, underscoring the necessity for government support and industry-driven initiatives.
Santosh Rudrawar from Sanjay Ghodawat Group highlighted the significance of empowering women in India’s retail sector, particularly in rural areas, stressing the need for advanced training frameworks to prepare women for leadership roles. Meanwhile, Naman Jain of Silverline Prestige School pointed out the persistent gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the labor force, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing skilling and upskilling reforms.
Vinayak V. Bhosale of Sanjay Ghodawat University discussed the transformative impact of technological advancements like artificial intelligence and automation, predicting a shift in core job skills by 2030.
