CSR as a Catalyst for Future Workforce Development: How Corporations are Fostering Talent and Skills

India is a land of over a billion people, with a notable majority being young individuals who hold the potential to drive growth and progress in the country. The 2023-24 Union Budget aims to equip this young demographic with the necessary skills to succeed in the workforce, with a particular focus on new-age courses such as coding, AI, Robotics, and 3D Printing, as well as formal skilling to meet employer demand. The government has implemented several initiatives to create a workforce that is ready for the future. Among them, the establishment of 30 Skill India International Centres across different states and the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme are indicative of a comprehensive effort towards this goal. The inception of these initiatives highlights the government’s strong will to position India as the skill capital of the world, a vision that industry stakeholders should embrace and support. It is crucial for India Inc. to work in collaboration with the government to develop a workforce that is not only empowered and equipped with the necessary skills but is also equitable and inclusive. By joining hands, government and industry can create a workforce that can meet the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.

This is where Corporate social responsibility (CSR) steps in as it has the potential to propel India’s youth, women, and other marginalized groups into the global economy. Since India became the first country to make CSR a legal requirement in April 2014, the CSR landscape has undergone a significant transformation. Over the past nine years, corporations, their employees, and society at large have become more socially responsible and aware of the need to give back to their communities. As a result, there has been a shift in mindset, with corporations seeing their CSR initiatives as a means of community development rather than just a public relations exercise. The employability, equity, inclusion, and prosperity goals envisioned in the union budget can be achieved by leveraging CSR programs. Therefore, corporations must continue to evolve and utilize their CSR efforts to support the growth and development of all members of society, especially those who have been historically underrepresented.

From Education to Employment: The Transformative Power of CSR

CSR initiatives focused on the skilling and education sectors have the potential to serve as a powerful conduit for addressing India’s pressing employability concerns. By leveraging these programs, individuals can acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the workforce, while simultaneously supporting the growth and development of the nation as a whole.

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Despite having a vast pool of human resources, India is grappling with a high unemployment rate, which stood at around 8% in December 2022, largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, a more significant structural barrier contributing to the unemployment crisis is the lack of vocational skills among young people. As per Coursera’s Annual Global Skills report, India ranked 68th internationally and 19th in Asia in terms of total skills competency. This indicates significant potential for growth and development in the country. With employability-related vocational skilling becoming a popular CSR activity, more businesses are gravitating towards it, recognizing its importance for the country’s and society’s development. Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize vocational skills development to unlock India’s human resource potential and pave the way for a more prosperous future.

The majority of students have academic information, but they lack the skills necessary to apply it to problems encountered in the workplace. India has an abundance of potential, but this talent needs to be channeled into sources of revenue. To close the deficit, skilling enters the picture. This is where businesses, through CSR, may work with the government to create an atmosphere where students can learn by introducing educational interventions, scholarships, mentorships, vocational aid, social and emotional learning support, and more. These interventions will significantly strengthen the groundwork needed for students to be successful in the workforce.

CSR Investments in Skilling

In terms of CSR, skilling refers to the addition or improvement of a person’s or a group’s competency in a particular trade, ability, or knowledge, usually to enhance their socioeconomic standing. A person benefits from the alternatives of career chances, business setups, and better information after the necessary skill set is gained, which finally results in a transformed existence. However, despite India’s ambition to soon have a trillion-dollar economy, we are far from achieving the requisite levels of talent.

In addition to the government’s efforts through programs like the National Skills Development Mission of India and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, corporates can improve these programmes by increasing their scope and standard. Businesses may assist in empowering kids in government schools by offering secure learning spaces and educational opportunities. While many professions don’t require a high school diploma or a degree, CSR can help increase the talent pool for positions that need specialised training. Corporations can use academic institutions and technology to develop learning platforms that would benefit not only specific industries but also the business as a whole because they would have a more qualified pool of labour to draw from. 

There are still many unfilled gaps and unmapped scopes. Long-term outcomes from continued efforts in the area of CSR skilling will eventually change the game for society, the nation, and even CSR funders. Here are some of the ways companies can assist in that:

• Supporting education and training programs: Businesses should start partnering with educational institutions, vocational training centres, and other organizations to provide training programs that will help develop the skills of future workers. These programs may be designed to provide specific technical skills or may focus on soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. A report by Great Learning states that training helped 43% of professionals gain career growth in their organisation, while 23% were able to switch to a different domain and 18% were able to secure a new job.
• Offering internships and apprenticeships: Internships and apprenticeships are another way for corporates to provide young people with on-the-job training and work experience. These opportunities can help students and graduates develop their skills, gain practical experience, and make valuable connections within their chosen fields. India Skills Report 2023 suggests that in 2022, 9% of graduates were actively seeking internship opportunities. 
• Providing mentorship and coaching: Companies must look to offer mentorship and coaching programs to help young people build their skills and navigate their career paths. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who are just starting their careers or who are looking to switch to a new field. It allows employees an opportunity to polish their soft skills, leadership, and decision-making skills, coupled with creative thinking and empathy. According to a study by Gartner and Capital Analytics, 97% of employees with a mentor say they find the experience to be a valuable one and 89% of those mentored say they’ll go on to mentor others.
• Supporting entrepreneurship: Many businesses are supporting entrepreneurship programs, such as startup accelerators and incubators, to help young people start their businesses. These programs can provide access to funding, mentorship, and other resources that can help aspiring entrepreneurs succeed.
• Investing in technology and innovation: Finally, corporates are investing in technology and innovation that can help train the future workforce. This may include developing new training tools and platforms, such as online learning resources, virtual reality simulations, or mobile apps.

India naturally enjoys a very favourable situation for self-improvement and development. The skilling potential in rural areas must also be mapped because majority of our people live there. Skilling is the sole dependable method for the underprivileged to obtain the necessary skill sets that will enable them to advance in their professions. Numerous governmental programmes and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have been successful in fostering an atmosphere that encourages progress for all.

Overall, investing CSR activities into training the future workforce can benefit society as a whole by providing young people with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in their careers. It can also benefit companies by ensuring that they have access to a skilled and diverse talent pool, which can help them stay competitive in the long run.