The Imperative of Skilling Up for India’s Green Transition
Ranjana Kumari
I
ndia’s green transition is well underway, bringing with it a wave of economic opportunities, innovation, and workforce transformation. As the country moves towards a climate-positive economy, it is expected to unlock a staggering $1 trillion in value by 2030 and create 35 million green jobs by 2047. However, this transition also presents challenges, particularly in skill development and workforce readiness.
India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, with ambitious policies supporting renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), green construction, sustainable textiles, and waste management. Investment in renewable energy hit a record $14.5 billion in 2022, reflecting strong policy backing and global confidence. Additionally, initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes aim to boost local manufacturing of green products, further strengthening India’s green industrial base.
Job Creation Across Sectors
The transition to a green economy is not just about reducing carbon emissions but also about creating millions of sustainable jobs. The renewable energy sector is projected to generate 3.26 million jobs in solar energy and 0.18 million in wind energy by 2050. The EV industry, which is expected to create 10 million direct and 50 million indirect jobs by 2030, will play a significant role in workforce transformation, particularly as Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) workers upskill to work on EVs. The textile sector, home to 45 million workers, is also undergoing a green transformation, requiring upskilling in sustainable production and waste reduction practices. Additionally, the waste management sector, particularly e-waste management, is expected to generate 0.5 million formal jobs by 2025.
Bridging the Skills Gap
While the demand for green jobs is surging, a significant skills gap remains a challenge. Currently, less than 10% of India’s youth receive formal training in any sector, and awareness of green job opportunities is still limited. To address this, India needs comprehensive green skill development policies that align with emerging job roles.
The Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ) plays a crucial role in offering specialised training programmes such as Solar PV Installer, Wind Power Plant Technician, and Bio-Energy Technician. The Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) aims to train 7 million youth in environmental, forestry, and climate change sectors, addressing the growing demand for sustainable skills. The National Green Hydrogen Mission promotes hydrogen as a clean energy alternative, creating opportunities in hydrogen production and technology. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme is accelerating the transition to electric mobility by offering incentives and infrastructure support, spurring employment in the EV sector.
Conclusion: A Future-Ready Green Workforce
Apart from initiatives such as the Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ) and Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP), which have already trained over one million candidates, the government is implementing multi-faceted strategies, including the integration of sustainability-focussed curricula in educational institutions, fostering industry-academia collaborations, and enhancing workforce inclusivity. These efforts are ensuring that students and professionals are equipped with essential skills in emerging green sectors, such as renewable energy, sustainable construction, waste management, and green transportation.
To facilitate widespread skill development, digital learning platforms are being leveraged alongside hands-on training programmes, enabling flexible and practical knowledge acquisition. Industry collaborations are playing a crucial role in bridging the gap between theoretical education and real-world application by offering internships, apprenticeships, and direct training opportunities. Furthermore, dedicated efforts are being made to enhance gender inclusivity and increase participation from underrepresented communities, thereby ensuring equitable access to green job opportunities across various demographics.
Public awareness campaigns are also driving interest in green jobs, ensuring that more individuals, including students, workers, and entrepreneurs, are aware of the opportunities within the green economy. Strengthening policies and encouraging public-private partnerships are fostering an ecosystem that supports skill-building, employment generation, and sustainable industrial practices. By proactively investing in green skill development, India is not only generating employment but also reinforcing its position as a global leader in sustainable development and green economic growth, ensuring long-term environmental and economic resilience.
Courses Under Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP)
The Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) offers a comprehensive range of courses across various environmental and sustainability sectors, equipping individuals with practical knowledge and industry-relevant skills.
1. Renewable Energy
• Sustain and Enhance Technical Knowledge in Solar Energy Systems (Class XII Pass/ Dropout, 240 hours, NSQF Level 5)
2. Waste Management
• Waste Management (Solid Waste, Biomedical Waste, Plastic Waste, E-Waste, Construction & Demolition Waste) (Science Graduate, 300 hours, NSQF
Level 6)
• Pollution Monitoring:
(i) Air & Water (260 hours, NSQF Level 6)
(ii) Soil Pollution (200 hours, NSQF Level 6) (Science Graduate/Diploma in Engineering)
3. Sustainable Agriculture
• Value Addition and Marketing of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) - Animal Origin:
(i) Wild Bee Keeper (200 hours, NSQF Level 4)
(ii) Lac Cultivator (200 hours, NSQF Level 4)
(iii) Tasar Cultivator (200 hours, NSQF Level 4) (Minimum Qualification: 8th Pass)
• Value Addition and Marketing of NTFPs - Plant Origin:
(i) Lantana Furniture and Crafts (400 hours, NSQF Level 5)
(ii) Coconut Shells & Fibre Handicrafts (240 hours, NSQF Level 5) (No minimum qualification to Class XII Pass)
4. Climate Change Mitigation
• Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Green GDP (Graduation in any discipline, 105 hours, NSQF Level 6)
• Water Budgeting & Auditing (Graduation in any discipline, 200 hours, NSQF Level 6)
5. Conservation and Wildlife Management
• Biodiversity Conservation (Class XII, 420 hours, NSQF Level 4)
• Advanced Course in Parataxonomy (Class XII Pass + Certificate course in Biodiversity Conservation or Graduation, 420 hours, NSQF Level 5)
• Forest Fire Management (Class XII Pass, 300 hours, NSQF Level 5)
• Conservation of River Dolphins (Course Details Not Specified)
• Wildlife Management using Geospatial Techniques (Science Graduate, 264 hours, NSQF Level 6)
6. Other Courses
• Bird Identification and Basic Ornithology (Class X Pass/Class XII Pass/Dropouts, 160 hours, NSQF Level 5)
• Bird Migration and Migration Study Techniques (Graduation in any discipline, 186 hours, NSQF Level 5)
• Plant Tissue Culture Techniques and Applications (Science Graduate, 320 hours, NSQF Level 6)
• Propagation and Management of Bamboo (Class XII Pass, 240 hours, NSQF Level 5)
• Paralegal Practices:
(i) Forestry Acts and Policy (Graduate, 80 hours, NSQF Level 5)
(ii) Legal Aspects of Environmental Protection (Graduate, 200 hours, NSQF
Level 5)
• Plantation Techniques and Utilization of Renewable Energy in Arid Zones (Class XII Pass, 180 hours, NSQF Level 4)
• Quality Planting Material Producer (Class X Pass, 240 hours, NSQF Level 4)
• Certificate Course on Conservator cum Ecotourism Guide (Course Details Not Specified)
These courses are designed to enhance employability and contribute to sustainable development goals by upskilling individuals in diverse environmental sectors.
(The author is an educationist and career counselor. Feedback can be sent to feedback.employmentnews@gmail.com).
Views expressed are personal.