Emerging Human Resource (HR) Crisis in India: An Analysis of Critical Issues for Capacity Building

Abstract

At a time when India is having best growth prospects in its history, we are facing a crisis of immeasurable magnitude on the HR front. A leading economist wrote that India could face full employment in the next five years. Let us wake up to this challenge and work out solutions. India has come a long way, in the education sector. Since citizens still face scarcity of opportunities, most of the teachers come to colleges and universities seeking job opportunities alone. Our work ethics is such that the best is not attracted and if they come, they can’t continue. There is a definite need to develop a system, which attracts talent for faculty positions and is able to contribute its best effort towards excellence in higher education. This paper is an effort towards this direction. Current focus on education and training and enhancing capacity in that area, is perhaps the right or only answer to this.  Nasscom Strategic Review indicates that out of the 3.2 million graduates that India generates every year, only about 50% of the engineers and 15-20% of other graduates are readily employable. Capacity Building’ is distinct from the current models of education and training. It is focused, on-the-job training which ensures that the trainees go through real world’ projects in simulated environments. The capacity building industry will need to recreate training environments for the identified skill streams in IT & ITES. Government must invest in industrial training institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics in enabling them to be forerunners in building focused skills for the services sector expanding the scope of such institutions and opening more such institutions dedicated to the services sector. It should create a conducive environment for entrepreneurs to invest in this opportunity, by providing tax breaks, and other incentives. There is a real threat to India’s competitive position in the global business landscape, if the right things are not done. Supply-side concerns have begun to emerge. Wage inflation concerns are becoming voiced more vociferously. There is a need for all stakeholders, local, state and educational institutions, faculty and students to come together on a common platform to ensure that India continues to be able to position it- self as the knowledge capital of the world.