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The Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, witnessed the inaugural session of “Building Workforces for Future: Development of Skills for Industry 4.0” at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024. Themed ‘Gateway to the Future,’ the summit has become a global platform for business collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnerships.
The event will host various events, including seminars and conferences addressing globally relevant topics such as Industry 4.0, Technology and Innovation, Sustainable Manufacturing, Green Hydrogen, Electric Mobility, Renewable Energy, and the Transition towards Sustainability. The stage is set for India to not just participate but lead in shaping the future landscape of global industry and innovation.
Prominent industry leaders, entrepreneurs, government officials and other dignitaries keen on steering India toward a future driven by Industry 4.0., will take the opportunity to reflect on the country’s developmental journey and set national priorities.
Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, underscored the significance of the summit as a platform for contemplating India’s developmental trajectory.
The Minister articulated the factors propelling the “India Moment” – Demography, Demand, and Decisive Government. He was confident about the national burgeoning startup and innovation culture, transforming the nation into a hub of knowledge and skills.
India’s focus extends to enhancing proficiency, productivity, skill, and competency across the vast demography. He affirmed India’s preparedness to leverage Industry 4.0, an epochal shift in industry and innovation globally.
In the journey, he acknowledged that the National Education Policy (NEP) has synergised education and skill ecosystems, shaping the youth into a future-ready workforce. He commended the efforts in implementing the National Education Policy 2020 and its inclusive and participative model, with ‘Women-led development’ emerging as a cornerstone.
India has a demographic advantage amid a rapidly ageing world population. With experts predicting India’s leadership in the working-age population over the next 25-30 years, he called upon all, especially the youth, to contribute towards the ambitious goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
The nation is at a pivotal moment where the world recognises India’s potential as a force to be reckoned with in the era of Industry 4.0. He believes that the world now looks to India for low-cost, quality, sustainable, and scalable solutions to global challenges.
The Minister recognises that the key to India’s success lies in the development of a global network for skill development. He reiterated that the ambitious goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047 hinges on collaboration and shared growth, asserting that when India develops, the entire Global South develops.
Referring to the G20 declaration and the vision proposed, he highlighted the imperative to create a global map for skill development. He outlined the G20 group’s commitment to addressing skill shortages through initiatives like global skills mapping and skill harmonisation. These efforts represent a timely move towards establishing innovative frameworks for education and readiness, paving the way for a resilient, fair, and inclusive future.
In the context of the 21st century, he stressed the fundamental role of knowledge and competencies in shaping the world. He underscored the importance of ensuring equal access to opportunities for knowledge and skill development for all, acknowledging the critical need for a skilled workforce in the evolving landscape of global industries and innovations.
This perspective aligns with his earlier remarks on Industry 4.0 skills and illustrates the holistic vision of leveraging global networks to propel India into a future marked by inclusive growth, sustainable development, and a skilled, competitive workforce. The stage is set for India not only to lead in Industry 4.0 but also to contribute significantly to the collective progress of the Global South and beyond.
