Transforming India’s Manufacturing Workforce for the Digital Age
India’s manufacturing sector is poised for significant growth, with a goal of $1 trillion in exports by 2030. However, the country faces a significant skills gap, especially in key areas such as automation, artificial intelligence, IoT, and cybersecurity. Cisco and Rockwell Automation have teamed up to launch the Industrial Digital Skills program to address this challenge.
Industrial Digital Skills: A New Era of Skill Development
The program, born out of a strategic partnership between Cisco and Rockwell, blends IT and OT (operational technology) courses. Focusing on emerging technologies such as cybersecurity, networking, data science, and automation, the program aims to equip the Indian workforce with the critical skills required for the digital-first manufacturing era.
Bridging the Skills Gap to Help India’s Manufacturing Industry Succeed
According to a Team Lease report, while India’s electronics manufacturing sector is expected to create 12 million jobs by fiscal year 2027-28, there is still a shortage of 10 million trained professionals. Bridging this gap is critical for India to remain competitive in the global manufacturing arena. The partnership not only aims to improve skills, but also to enhance digital literacy and attract new talent.
Cisco’s contribution: Equipping the Indian workforce with NetAcad
Cisco’s long-standing investment in education, especially through Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad), has trained more than 2.2 million students across India. NetAcad offers courses in emerging technologies to help individuals acquire the digital literacy and technical skills needed to thrive in advanced manufacturing environments. By expanding course content to include advanced topics such as programming and cybersecurity, Cisco is playing a key role in shaping India’s future-ready workforce.
Rockwell Automation: Empowering employees to power smart manufacturing
Leveraging its extensive experience in operational technology, Rockwell Automation offers solutions to help companies and academic institutions upskill their workforce. These training solutions include online courses and instructor-led courses tailored for automation technologies that are transforming manufacturing processes. With a particular focus on smart manufacturing, Rockwell Automation’s approach aligns with India’s vision of creating a globally competitive manufacturing landscape.
Reskilling is needed in today’s manufacturing industry
The shift toward automation and digital technologies has highlighted the importance of reskilling and upskilling employees. According to Rockwell Automation’s ninth annual State of Smart Manufacturing report, “change management” was listed as the top workforce challenge. Companies that prioritize continuous training are better positioned to seamlessly integrate emerging technologies and improve productivity on the shop floor.
Shaping the future of manufacturing with a highly skilled workforce
The collaboration between Cisco and Rockwell Automation marks a critical step towards building a strong and digitally savvy workforce in India. Strategic investments in workforce development, led by smart manufacturing and automation, will ensure that India’s manufacturing sector remains globally competitive, efficient, and ready to meet future challenges.