Our recent webinar, “Marching Towards a 5 Trillion Economy: Supercharging Skill Development for Industry 4.0,” provided a comprehensive exploration of the critical role of skill development in driving economic growth within the context of Industry 4.0. This event, part of our #CentumKnowledgeSeries, underscored the importance of adapting to new technological advancements to equip the workforce with necessary skills.

The session featured a distinguished panel of speakers who brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the discussion. Anil Ingulkar, Maharashtra State Skill Development Officer at the Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department, Government of Maharashtra, shared his extensive experience in executing skill development projects. With over 11 years in the field, Anil highlighted the significance of motivating rural youth for wage and self-employment without migration and discussed insights from his recent book, “Skill Development as an Opportunity.”

Ritesh Sinha, Group CSR Head at Krishna Maruti Limited, provided valuable perspectives on CSR policy formulation, project planning, and sustainable development. With 18 years of expertise in corporate social responsibility across various sectors, Ritesh emphasized the importance of aligning CSR initiatives with national and international standards, focusing on education, health, women empowerment, and skill development.

Disha Shrivastava from Centum Foundation’s New Initiatives & Knowledge Management brought a comprehensive view on leveraging diversity and inclusion for industry growth. Her extensive background in program management, training, fundraising, and strategic partnerships, combined with her work in education, healthcare, child protection, and public health, highlighted the need for inclusive practices in skill development.

A key focus of the webinar was exploring emerging market trends in the skilling domain as per the Indian economy in 2024. The speakers delved into how AI and automation are transforming the skilling industry, emphasizing the need for continuous adaptation and innovation. They also examined the changes and amendments made by CSR in the new era, comparing them to earlier practices, and discussed how corporates are contributing to enabling the future job market.

The dialogue also emphasized the significance of building a future-ready manufacturing workforce, addressing the skilled manpower needs in the manufacturing sector and proposing solutions to overcome these challenges. The discussion on empowering women in manufacturing underscored the benefits of leveraging diversity for industry growth and inclusive development.

Through webinars like this, Centum Foundation reaffirms its commitment to promoting skill development and economic growth. The insights and strategies shared during the event are crucial steps towards building a resilient and prosperous economy, equipped to meet the demands of Industry 4.0. This initiative is a testament to the power of informed dialogue and collaboration in driving societal progress. As we continue to explore and implement innovative skilling practices, we look forward to creating a future marked by equality, opportunity, and sustainable development for all.