Dr. Gayathri Vasudevan, Co-founder and Chairperson, Sambhav Foundation
“India’s skilling conversation is entering a new phase. Expanding access to training remains important, but the bigger challenge today is ensuring that skills translate into meaningful livelihoods. While youth employability has risen from nearly 34% a decade ago to over 51%, employers continue to report gaps in workplace readiness, digital capabilities, and industry-specific skills. This is why skilling can no longer be designed in isolation. It must evolve alongside industry and the changing nature of work.
At Sambhav Foundation, we have seen that the strongest outcomes come when training reflects industry needs, builds workplace-ready skills, and prepares young people for sustainable livelihoods through employment or entrepreneurship. In one of our recent programmes, 180 candidates were certified and 150 transitioned into livelihoods, including wage employment and self-employment, demonstrating what is possible when training is closely aligned with market demand.
Scaling this kind of impact will require stronger collaboration between industry, training institutions, governments, and communities so that skilling reflects both evolving industry needs and the realities of local job markets. When training is aligned with the opportunities available within and around communities, it improves not only employability but also long-term workforce participation and livelihood sustainability. As this year’s World Youth Skills Day reminds us, ‘Skills for a Shared Future’ is ultimately about ensuring that every young person has the skills, opportunities, and support to participate meaningfully in India’s growth.”