Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the G20 Labor and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, where he said that we all need to skill our workforce in the use of advanced technologies and processes.
In his video address, the Prime Minister said that it’s fortunate that this meeting is happening in a country that has had the experience of creating a large number of technology jobs during the last such technology-led transformation.
Emphasizing the need for skilling the workforce in the use of advanced technologies, Modi said: “Skilling, re-skilling and upskilling are the mantras for the future workforce. In India, our Skill India Mission is a campaign to connect with this reality.”
He also cited example of “Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana” (Prime Minister Skill Development Scheme) under which more than 12.5 million youth of the country have taken training as he said that special focus is being laid on Industry ‘Four Point O’ sectors like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, the Internet of Things, and Drones.
“Globally, a mobile workforce is going to be a reality in the future. Therefore, it is now time to globalize the development and sharing of skills in the true sense. The G20 must play a leading role in this. I commend your efforts to initiate the international referencing of occupations by skills and qualifications requirements,” he said.
The Prime Minister also lauded the efforts of the country’s frontline health and other workers during COVID-19 and said that this revealed their skills and dedication.
“It also reflected our culture of service and compassion. Indeed, India has the potential to become one of the largest providers of skilled workforce for the world,” he added.
Commending the efforts of the member nations to initiate the international referencing of occupations by skills and qualifications requirements, Modi said that it requires new models of international cooperation and coordination, and migration and mobility partnerships.
“Sharing statistics, information and data regarding employers and workers for a start which will empower countries across the globe to formulate evidence-based policies for better skilling, workforce planning, and gainful employment,” he suggested.