Lok Sabha Question No. 999 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Semi and Skilled Manual Jobs into Formal Employment through Digital Platform
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Smt. D K Aruna, Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 999

ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## SEMI AND SKILLED MANUAL JOBS INTO FORMAL EMPLOYMENT THROUGH DIGITAL PLATFORM

999. SHRI EATALA RAJENDER: SMT. D K ARUNA:

SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  in  recent  decades  there  has  been  job  growth  led  by  a  surge  in  construction, relatively low skilled services and manufacturing jobs and such employment is unattractive due to harsh working conditions and limited scope for a long term career and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether several commissions suggest forging career paths in manufacturing firms, which require a job aspirant to acquire new credentials or proficiency in certain processes;
- (c) if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  supporting  the  aspirants  in  acquiring  such  credentials certification through subsidies possibly through the State Skill Development Corporations;
- (d) whether there  are  suggestions  turning  semi-skilled  manual  jobs  into  formal  employment through  digital  platforms  to  make  them  more  appealing  to  young  workers  including  women especially in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a)  &  (b):  As  per  Periodic  Labour  Force  Survey  (PLFS)  data  from  2018-19  to  2022-23,  the number of workers aged 15 and above engaged in the manufacturing and construction sectors has increased by 26 percent. The KLEMS (K: Capital, L: Labour, E: Energy, M: Materials and S: Services) database published by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provides employment estimates, including manufacturing sector, at all India level. Employment in the manufacturing increased to 6.31 crore in year 2022-23 compared to 5.47 crore in 2017-18. The employment in construction sector increased from 5.47 crore in 2017-18 to 7.47 crore in 2022-23.

An analysis of skill categories-Low Skilled (LS), Low-Medium Skilled (LM), Medium-High Skilled (MH), and High Skilled (HS)-reveals significant growth in the Low-Medium Skilled and Medium-High Skilled worker segments. Additionally, the number of workers engaged without any contract  has  risen  by  14%,  while  those  employed  on  contracts  exceeding  one  year  have increased by 98%. Furthermore, the number of workers receiving some form of social security benefits has grown by 47 percent. It has emerged from various reports that the skill upgradation is  essential  for  career  progression  for  candidates  engaged  in  construction  and  manufacturing sector. (c)  to  (e):   Under  the  Government  of  India's  Skill  India  Mission  (SIM)  ,  the  Ministry  of  Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centres / institutes under various schemes, viz. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Sikhshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to all the sections of the society across the country including state of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The  government  is  actively  supporting  aspirants  in  acquiring  NSQF-aligned,  industryrelevant courses. Under PMKVY, the new age/future skills job-roles have been specially aligned with Industry 4.0 requirements in areas like AI/ML, Robotics, Mechatronics, Drone Technology, etc.  for upcoming market demand and industry requirements.  General of Training (DGT) under the  aegis  of  MSDE   has  introduced  29  new  age  /future  skills  courses  in  Industrial  Training Institutes  (ITIs)  and  National  Skill  Training  Institutes  (NSTIs)  under  CTS  to  provide  training  in emerging areas such as Artificial  Intelligence,  Mechatronics,  Internet  of  Things,  Cybersecurity, Semiconductor, etc. While PMKVY is a centrally implemented scheme, State Skill Development Missions also play a crucial role in imparting skill training. They design and implement skilling, upskilling, and reskilling initiatives tailored to the specific needs identified within their respective States/UTs. including  women,  engaged  in  the  construction  and  manufacturing  sector,  with  access  to  high-

The  Skill  India  Digital  Hub  (SIDH)  is  envisioned  as  the  digital  public  infrastructure  for skilling,  education,  employment,  and  entrepreneurship  in  the  country.  It  provides  citizens, quality  industry-aligned  training  programs.  Additionally,  SIDH  offers  recognized  certifications, enabling  learners  to  gain  credentials  that  enhance  their  career  progression.  Currently,  SIDH hosts over 550 courses across various sectors, catering to both foundational and advanced skill levels, ensuring comprehensive and inclusive learning opportunities.

*****