World Youth Skills day: Leaders Speak

Harshvendra Soin, Global Chief People Officer & Head – Marketing, Tech Mahindra

Harshvendra Soin, Global Chief People Officer & Head – Marketing, Tech Mahindra said, “Today’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are also the architects of innovation, progress, and change. By investing in their skills, we invest in the future of India, and this World Youth Skills Day is an excellent opportunity to recalibrate our efforts towards this initiative. In the current scenario, there is a need for the workforce to be future-ready and thus, the need to be a part of the reskilling revolution is imperative. The theme for this year is around skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future, and the sentiment echoes deeply within Tech Mahindra as we strive to RISE for a more equal and future-ready world, while creating value in everything we do.

Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India

Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India said, “With the increasing use of geospatial technologies, like GIS in various sectors of the economy, career opportunities in GIS are growing. The Indian Geospatial Industry is projected to drive the generation of over 10 lakh jobs by 2025. We are moving fast toward a location-rich personalized future, and thus the need for inculcating geospatial thinking and skills in the youth is crucial for solving the complex problems of tomorrow. It is also necessary to reskill the existing workforce. Through our partnerships with academia, we are continuously equipping science, engineering, and technology students; youth, and mid-career professionals with geospatial knowledge and skills. These initiatives prepare them for careers that nurture innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of our surroundings.”

Dr. Bharghava Rajaram, Professor, Mahindra University École Centrale School of Engineering

Dr. Bharghava Rajaram, Professor, Mahindra University École Centrale School of Engineering said, “Empowering teachers and youth through skill development is crucial, as one paves the way while the other seizes opportunities, for a promising future. Our current need is an inclusive and interactive approach, fostering effective pathways and enabling educators to embrace modern technologies like AI, robotics, cloud computing, AR/VR in the classroom. According to the WEF report, there is an urgent call for a ‘reskilling revolution,’ estimating that 44% of workers will require updated skills to ensure long-term employability. The National Education Policy (NEP) emphasizes courses such as IoT, AI, Industry 4.0, robotics and automation, which contribute to shaping well-rounded individuals and equipping them with valuable skill sets in today’s economy. Embracing this vision, Mahindra University has inculcated these aspects into its degree programs and is also introducing skill development and upskilling programs for both students and professionals, extending equal opportunities for all to secure highly sought-after jobs.”

Sqn Ldr Dimple Rawat (Retd), Director HR at Barco India

Sqn Ldr Dimple Rawat (Retd), Director HR at Barco India said, “It is rightly said that the true measure of a nation’s progress lies in the skill sets of its youth for, by empowering our young population with the right skills, we lay the foundation for a prosperous and self-sustaining India. Our talented youth forms the backbone of this great nation’s future-ready ambitions and we must reaffirm our commitment to skilling, upskilling, and reskilling them, if we are to offer them the wings necessary for fulfilling this dream. This World Youth Skills Day, I invite you all to join me as we commit to a ceaseless focus on initiatives that promote skill development, entrepreneurship, and innovation. By creating a conducive ecosystem that encourages collaboration, experimentation, and risk-taking, we can foster a generation of job creators and innovators, empowering them to become catalysts of change, thereby driving India towards a brighter and more inclusive future.”

Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India

Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India said, “The youth is the backbone of any nation in its economic and overall development of society, and the need for regular skill development for the next generation has become paramount for the growth of a country. New-age disruptive technologies such as AI, IoT, ML, and cloud computing have become the core of everything we do, and this momentum demands new digital skill sets. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, escalating the need to upskill and reskill the employees. As organizations are gradually becoming digitally savvy, upskilling employees is crucial to avoid any gap between the skillsets available and the organization’s needs.”