The New Education Policy 2020 emphasises skill-based education to ensure that students are ready for Industry 4.0. To create this industry-ready workforce, schools as well as universities will become the foundation by catering to this need. While earlier the focus was on theoretical knowledge, today students need practical learning that empowers them to take on the challenges the future might throw.
Live Production and Action Learning Labs are the need of the hour where students can get hands-on training and the students passing out are already familiar with the process, enabling them to innovate and come up with creative solutions. Thus, courses with skill integration will become the most in-demand as they will lead to a higher possibility of placement with better pay. Here are some sought-after industries that are currently in high demand and will continue to do so.
Traditionally Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Electrical and Electronics, Computer Science, etc have been the most popular courses as they form the very basis of innovation in their respective industries. However, there is much demand in the current times for engineers in niche streams such as Aerospace, Biotechnology, and Mining. Chandrayaan 3 for instance manifests the vast scope and opportunities in the space industry. It is a matter of pride that our university got the opportunity to manufacture some of its critical components, too with student participation. It is evident that newer avenues are opening up in such streams.
A surge in demand should also be expected for further specialized streams like M Tech in Data Science, Embedded Systems, Power System & Control, Renewable Energy, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Design & Manufacturing. An innovative mind armed with theoretical as well as industry-ready skills is an asset to any organization or industry, and thus such industries have assumed even more significance with regard to job opportunities. At the higher education level, the need is a CUTM-like learning model where students get ready to constitute an industry-ready workforce with industry stalwarts like Yamaha, Dassault Systemes, Schneider Electric, etc.
India is a country where the majority of the population is involved in farming. While till sometime back it was not seen as an industry offering lucrative career choices, the outlook towards farming has changed significantly as the new generation wishes to utilise advanced tools and knowledge to ensure the best crop. In this industry, there is immense scope for skill-integrated learning in BSc Agriculture, Smart Agriculture, Vertical Agriculture, Organic Agriculture, M.Sc. Agriculture, Agronomy, Genetic & Plant Breeding, Horticulture & Vegetable Science, Agriculture Extension & Communication, Fisheries. Furthermore, B.Tech in Phyto Pharmaceutical, Dairy Technology, etc are also some streams with promising job prospects.
India has become the most populous country in the world and there will always be an increase in demand for not just doctors but also Allied Health professionals including emergency medical technicians, physiotherapists, laboratory technicians, anesthesia technicians, medical technologists, radiographers, etc. They don’t just create a positive impact but also contribute towards the overall well-being of the public at large. The underserved rural population will need an unfathomable number of allied health professionals, and a course according to the aptitude of the student, where they get hands-on learning by getting trained at hospitals will be the best training ground for them.
Another industry where skill-based jobs are expected to be high in demand is law, which has diverse streams and facets. While litigation is one part of it, there has been a surge in job opportunities related to Corporate Laws, Acquisition and merger Laws, IPR, etc. Students wishing to capitalize on the opportunities in the stream can pursue skill-integrated curriculums in BA (Hons) LLB, BBA (Hons) LLB, 5-year integrated degree courses as well as Ph.D. in Law. Infrastructural needs such as moot courts must be ensured by educational institutions to enable students to make the most of the growing opportunities in the field.
The aforementioned industries require an industry-ready workforce and the only way to ensure this is to provide skill-integrated higher education. Setting up of LIVE labs and manufacturing units within the university campus will enable students to understand the process and hone their skills, giving them an edge over those without such exposure. Only the collaboration of academia and industry can ensure that the industries that need the manpower can train them even before they set foot into the professional world.
The author Prof. Supriya Pattanayak is the Vice Chancellor of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha
