India stands at a critical juncture in its developmental journey, where the strength of its large and youthful population can be a powerful engine for economic growth—if properly harnessed. Despite being home to one of the world’s largest youth demographics, the country has overlooked the importance of structured vocational education and even digital skills.
The importance of vocational education in India was first formally emphasised in the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986, which recognised it as a crucial tool for reducing the growing mismatch between academic education and employment opportunities. This commitment was further reinforced by the Revised NPE in 1992, which reiterated the need for vocationalisation of education to enhance employability and economic relevance.
A significant leap in this direction came with the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007–2012), which laid the foundation for large-scale skill development initiatives, acknowledging that creating a skilled workforce was vital for accelerating inclusive growth. Thus, these sustained efforts over time have recognised that channelling the energy of India’s youth, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, holds importance.
The integration of digital skills into education and vocational training can play maybe the biggest role in empowering India’s youth. Government initiatives like Digital India and Skill India have laid the groundwork, but the pace of change requires greater collaboration between public institutions, private sector players, and civil society.
Smile Foundation skilling the youth
A case in point is Smile Foundation’s Skilling programme, STeP, a collaborative network skilling the youth in high-growth sectors with strong potential for both revenue generation and employment. The programme is designed to support and complement the Skill India Mission, while also aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
To date, the programme has successfully trained over 9,000 youth across eight states and facilitated sustainable employment for more than 5,500 individuals. It has established 74 skilling centres focused on sectors demonstrating significant growth potential. The programme adopts a practice-oriented approach, emphasising experiential learning and direct industry engagement. This is reflected in its robust network of over 400 employment partners, thus supporting the transition of trained youth into the workforce.
Imparting necessary digital skills through STeP
Across industries—from healthcare and finance to logistics and digital services—technology is reshaping the employment landscape, creating a surge in demand for specialised, job-ready skills. Recognising this shift, Smile Foundation’s STeP is thoughtfully designed to align with emerging sectors and their evolving skill requirements.
The programme covers a wide range of high-growth fields, such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), which remains a major employment generator. It offers diverse roles in customer service, technical support, and back-office operations. Today’s BPO jobs require digital proficiency in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, communication platforms, and basic automation, making them an accessible entry point into the digital workforce. Furthermore, with growing opportunities for remote work and upward mobility, BPO continues to be a future-proof career option.
Similarly, the banking and financial services industry is undergoing a rapid digital transformation. To thrive in this space, youth must gain skills in digital banking platforms, financial literacy, customer engagement, and regulatory compliance. As fintech solutions expand across both urban and rural India, the demand for digitally trained professionals is on the rise.
In the same vein, digital marketing has seen explosive demand as businesses expand their online presence. Skills such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), social media strategy, email marketing, and content creation are vital for engaging audiences and driving growth—particularly for startups, freelancers, and entrepreneurs.
In parallel, e-logistics and supply chain management have become critical to India’s thriving e-commerce and manufacturing sectors. Proficiency in inventory control, digital tracking, warehouse management, and last-mile delivery operations is essential for those seeking long-term careers in this space. With businesses increasingly adopting technology-driven logistics models, this sector offers both growth and stability.
Lastly, the healthcare sector continues to offer stable and impactful opportunities through roles like General Duty Assistant (GDA) and patient care support. With training in basic healthcare practices, hygiene protocols, patient mobility, and digital health records, these professionals are indispensable in clinics, hospitals, and home-care settings. As India’s healthcare infrastructure grows, these roles provide both social value and professional advancement.
Embracing novel technology
As India embraces digital transformation, emerging technologies are playing a key role in reshaping industries and creating new career opportunities. In today’s digital economy, Data Science and Big Data are essential skills. As organisations generate massive volumes of structured and unstructured data, the ability to analyse and extract meaningful insights has become indispensable for driving informed decision-making across sectors.
Another critical skill is Blockchain Technology. While commonly associated with cryptocurrency, blockchain’s decentralized systems and smart contracts are revolutionising industries by improving security, transparency, and efficiency. Professionals proficient in blockchain can find opportunities across sectors such as finance, logistics, and healthcare, where its transformative potential is rapidly expanding. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are significantly altering industries like gaming, education, healthcare, and e-commerce. As these immersive technologies continue to be adopted, the demand for skilled AR/VR professionals will rise, creating exciting career opportunities in both creative and technical roles.
Lastly, Digital Health and Telemedicine are transforming the healthcare landscape. The widespread adoption of telemedicine, electronic health records (EHR), and health informatics is making healthcare services more accessible and efficient. As the demand for digital healthcare solutions grows, there is an increasing need for professionals in health tech and patient support. This rapidly expanding sector provides India’s youth with the opportunity to contribute to the future of healthcare, helping to improve outcomes for patients across the country.
Upskilling and building transferable skills
In India’s vast informal economy, countless workers find themselves locked in a cycle of low-skill, low-wage labour with limited pathways to upward mobility. For many, the opportunity to improve their skills—and in turn, their livelihoods—remains out of reach. Recognising this challenge, Smile Foundation launched iTrain on Wheels, a collaborative effort between Berger Paints India Ltd. and Smile Foundation, under Berger’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The programme attempts to bridge the skill gap among local painters by offering specialised, hands-on training in contemporary painting techniques, safety standards, and customer service. Painters are also equipped with basic entrepreneurial skills, empowering them to manage their work independently, engage with clients more effectively, and even expand their own teams.
Since its inception, over 1,18,000 painters across 25 states have been upskilled. In the process, the programme has not only improved technical capabilities but has also opened doors to higher-paying opportunities and greater job security.
Skilling that truly pays off
India’s young population has the power to shape a strong and inclusive future—but only if we invest in the right skills today. Vocational training that matches real-world needs, includes digital tools, and supports young people with care and confidence can open doors to better jobs and brighter lives.
Programmes like Smile Foundation’s STeP and iTrain on Wheels show how practical, hands-on learning can make a real difference, especially for youth from underserved communities. But lasting change needs more partners—governments, companies, and communities working together to make skill-building a priority.
If we want every young person in India to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce, we must start by giving them the tools and support they need today.
