There is huge opportunity to train and upskill the youth to meet the growing demand for skilled manpower in Ludhiana, a prominent manufacturing hub in the North for the past many decades with a concentration of textile, bicycle, automotive and engineering activity. It is estimated that the industrial district of Punjab alone will create around three lakh jobs for skilled workforce by 2022. Vocational training and skills training would play a pivotal role in realising the full employment potential.
These findings are a part of the survey conducted in Ludhiana by Rockman Industries, India’s leading auto components manufacturer, and Ernst & Young (EY).
Ludhiana is a key district in Punjab with the highest share of contribution to the State economy. It is also one of the prominent commercial hubs of northern India. The district has a robust industrial base with a mix of MSMEs and large enterprises, contributing 29.73 per cent to Punjab’s overall manufacturing output.
“The larger purpose of the survey was to understand the gap between employment opportunities and employment readiness of the youth in Ludhiana. The demand for skilled workforce is the need of the hour, as it leads to long-term employment, in turn ensuring manufacturing growth. Anticipating and building competencies among the youth will also enable workers and enterprises to adapt to the rapid pace of change. A competent and skilled workforce in Ludhiana is a win-win situation for both workers and enterprises as it improves productivity, increases efficiency and output,” said Mr. Suman Kant Munjal, CMD, Rockman Industries.
The Rockman Industries – EY survey has thrown up interesting results about Ludhiana. While there is an urgent need to increase skilled workforce in the next five years, there is also the necessity to equip the youth to fulfil the growth in employment opportunities. The youth of Ludhiana need to be provided with every possible avenue to become self-reliant. The future prosperity of Ludhiana, Punjab and of India depends on the number of persons in meaningful employment and on their productivity. A skilled workforce boosts both productivity and quality, which are the necessary ingredients for growth. This in turn encourages domestic and foreign investments, creating more jobs and lowering unemployment and underemployment.
MDs and CEOs in 50 companies and over 600 people in more than 20 locations participated in the survey. Some of the most potential trades were found to be mechanic, welder, fitter, electrician, tailoring, sewing machine operator, accounting, banking, industrial safety, etc.
Rockman Industries, a part of the Hero Group was incorporated in 1960 in Ludhiana. The company is now amongst the leading auto components companies in India with plants in Ludhiana, Bawal, Haridwar and Chennai.
Rockman supplies aluminium die casting components and automotive chains to some of the leading automobile OEMs in India and overseas. It is also an industry leader in 2-wheeler alloy wheels with an annual installed capacity of 5.6 million wheels.