CII commissions skill gap analysis in Karnataka

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has commissioned a Skill Gap Analysis Survey in Karnataka to assess the shortage of skilled workers in various industry sectors.

“The survey will help us to know what kind of shortage is there in the supply of skilled workers for various industries. The survey findings will be available by the end of May and the report will be submitted to Karnataka government before they hold the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) on June 7 and 8,” L Krishnan, chairman, Karnataka State Council, CII said.

He also said the industry in southern states is facing huge shortage of skilled workers and CII is partnering the state government to train youth to make them industry ready.

“With the help of this survey we will come to know what is the shortage of skilled workers and what can the institutions offer and also what needs to be done to bridge the skill gap,” he told reporters, here on Friday.

G V Sanjay Reddy, chairman, CII Southern Region said the CII would set up 10 Skill Development Centers in Southern States with the support of Industry and Pan IIT Alumni Reach for India. It would also give thrust to infrastructure development, manufacturing, skills training and promotion of Tier-II & Tier-III cities during the current year.

Outlining the key priorities for 2012-13, Reddy said that CII would focus on the theme ‘South India 2020 - Accelerate Inclusive Growth & Sustainable Development’.

“South India has been a major driver of growth for India contributing to over 22 per cent of India’s GDP and 28 per cent of its employment. South India’s advantages in the economic and social development indices give it the potential to sustain accelerated growth over the next decade, and create global scale in select sectors,” he said.

However, he said, infrastructure bottlenecks, slow pace of reforms, lack of skilled labour and challenges in governance threaten this growth. To accelerate the growth, CII Southern Region has embarked upon a four-pronged agenda for this year built around important elements of competitiveness, infrastructure, inclusiveness and sustainability.

He said manufacturing sector plays a key role in the economic development. Unfortunately, the contribution of manufacturing to India’s GDP and employment is very low. India’s manufacturing GDP growth of 15 per cent is lower than that of many other countries.

“Indian manufacturing contributes only 12 per cent of total employment. Realising the huge potential for growth in manufacturing in the South, CII proposes for State Level Manufacturing Policies and to get at least 3-5 Manufacturing Investment Zones to propel growth of the sector,” Reddy said.

CII also proposes to set up an Integrated Logistic Hub connecting major ports in South. Logistics hubs would bring in efficiency in transportation through an integrated multi-model access and with an exclusive freight corridor, he added. CII would be advocating State-level reforms in the power sector, with more private sector participation, especially in distribution and generation.

Some of the other initiatives in Karnataka include: development of North Karnataka through District Development Plans; Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor; development of minor ports and improvement of Bangalore Urban infrastructure.