"India's job retraining market experiences a significant boost, as Global Certification Courses catch global attention"
India's reskilling market is experiencing accelerated growth, primarily driven by the expansion of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) across the country. With over 1,700 GCCs currently operating in India, projections estimate a rise to 2,200–2,500 by 2030, making India a prominent destination for multinational corporations.
This rapid expansion is transforming India into a global innovation and transformation hub. GCCs are moving from basic back-office roles to technology-driven, domain-heavy operations, emphasizing AI, cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and digital innovation. This shift towards technology specialization and innovation focus requires continuous skill upgrades and reskilling.
One of the key challenges is the significant shortage in skilled talent for AI and related domains. According to recent reports, there is a gap of 1.1 million skilled workers to meet the current demand of 2.3 million. Reskilling is, therefore, essential to fill these roles.
GCCs are also restructuring their workforce towards skills-based hiring, flattening hierarchies, and fostering leadership at middle management levels. This strategic organizational transformation increases the need for upskilling and reskilling programs.
Interestingly, 48% of GCCs now prioritize skills-based hiring through practical assessments rather than relying solely on academic qualifications. This focus on practical skills over traditional degrees emphasizes the importance of reskilling investment over external hiring.
In addition, GCCs are driving AI deployment and digital transformation initiatives, increasing the demand for reskilling in AI, machine learning, and related technologies. These investments contribute significantly to India’s GDP growth projections.
Geographic and cost arbitrage strategies are also fueling localized reskilling demands. Expansion into tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Coimbatore, Nagpur, and Visakhapatnam with cost-effective talent pools ensures quality and timezone advantages.
Corporate commitment to long-term talent development is another factor driving reskilling investments. Companies like Compass Group emphasize leadership development, innovation, and operational expertise growth in India, attracting and retaining top talent.
A report titled "Skills for the Future: Transforming India's Workforce Landscape" reveals that in 2023-24, 88% of India's workforce is in low-competency occupations, while only 10-12% are in high-competency roles. Upskilling, L&D, and well-defined career pathing are, therefore, crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in GCCs.
Smitha Hemmigae, Managing Director of ANSR, emphasizes that these initiatives are no longer "good to have" but a true differentiator for attracting and retaining top talent in GCCs.
The growth of GCCs in India is most prominent in Tier-1 cities, with Bengaluru leading the pack, hosting 487 centres (29% of India's total). Hyderabad follows closely with 273 GCCs (16%), while the NCR region hosts 272 centres. Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai are also contributing significantly.
GCCs are actively sponsoring learning programmes to ensure their workforce is equipped with critical skills required to stay relevant and drive innovation. This commitment to continuous learning and capability building is propelling India’s GCC-driven reskilling market growth.
- The expansion of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India is transforming the country into a global innovation and transformation hub.
- GCCs are moving from basic back-office roles to technology-driven, domain-heavy operations, emphasizing AI, cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
- This shift towards technology specialization and innovation focus requires continuous skill upgrades and reskilling.
- One of the key challenges is the significant shortage in skilled talent for AI and related domains.
- Reskilling is, therefore, essential to fill these roles.
- GCCs are also restructuring their workforce towards skills-based hiring, flattening hierarchies, and fostering leadership at middle management levels.
- This strategic organizational transformation increases the need for upskilling and reskilling programs.
- Interestingly, 48% of GCCs now prioritize skills-based hiring through practical assessments rather than relying solely on academic qualifications.
