Ashwini Vaishnaw urges to build future-ready workforce for manufacturing

Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has urged industry and academia to come together to build a future-ready workforce to drive India’s manufacturing ambitions under the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission. The call came during a roundtable at the New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH), where the Minister emphasised the need for accelerated talent development aligned with emerging technologies and national priorities.

The event marked a major push for India’s Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology (MET) sector, a NAMTECH-led initiative aimed at preparing skilled professionals for Industry 4.0 and beyond. The initiative is supported by key government missions and flagship programs such as Digital India, Skill India, and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. The initiative seeks to address talent gaps and enhance India’s global competitiveness.

The event also included the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NAMTECH and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), Vadodara, in the presence of GSV’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj Choudhary.

While India is prioritising technological self-reliance through missions like the India Semiconductor Mission, National Robotics Strategy, and Mobility Manufacturing Mission, building a skilled workforce is seen as essential. The MET Platform and its supporting initiatives aim to bridge critical skill gaps, promote job readiness from day one, and align with the Government’s broader economic and strategic goals.

NAMTECH, with mentorship from MIT and support from industry partners like Analog Devices and Applied Materials, will develop training centres, labs, and scholarship programs. The collaboration with GSV will focus on smart manufacturing, transportation, logistics innovation, and skilling for future industry demands.

The Ministry reaffirmed its support for such ecosystem-driven models that encourage knowledge-sharing, infrastructure development, and inclusive access to advanced technology education. The initiative reflects India’s commitment to becoming a global hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing.