NSN Connect 2022 – Re-igniting the Skilling Landscape in India – Episode 6

The sixth episode of the NSN Connect 2022 series broadly focused on transferable skills and jobs in the informal sector.

NSN Connect 2022 on Re-igniting the skilling landscape in India is an initiative by Team NSN to learn about these areas. The esteemed guest of the eight-episode series is Mr. Rajesh A R, CEO, LabourNet who is a thought leader and domain expert who will share his experience and expertise on various aspects that are crucial to re-ignite the skilling landscape in India.

Here is the excerpt from the sixth episode. To watch the full episode, please visit our YouTube channel.

NSN Connect 2022 – Episode 6: Horizontal career growth in adjacent industries

An economic activity happens at a particular area or pin code and if that cluster of a pin code has a beautician who works just as a helper can move up to setting up a beauty parlour. Vertical progress is always good as at every stage, he/she is earning better and recognition comes along with it. But, if a person is in a situation where he/she cannot move out of that area, then you need to look at the adjacent industry to grow in a career. That is growing horizontally.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people who are selling current savings accounts to various dealers were out in the market working in delivery apps as delivery boys. Some of the skill sets were learnt as they join.

As gig workers, we approach them with a portfolio at every point in time because it is no more lifelong learning. A portfolio has four major pillars to create one –

1. The price point I will offer
2. What are my skillsets and materials available to me?
3. What are the markets that are coming into it?
4. What is my socio-economic reason for doing this?

Formalizing the informal sector through digital, social and financial identity

After COVID-19, people are booking repairs through IKEA, Amazon, and Urban companies and now are forced to pay digitally to that worker. The app company or integrators are then forced to pay to their informal sector again through a digital economy with proper tax deductions, and proper statutory deductions.

Huge push from GST elements, digitisations, ease of UPI etc., have moved a lot of people from informal to formal. In the next 10 years, the percentage can go from 30% to 40%.

Three transitions for career growth in the informal sector

A person who is working in a showroom faces an issue of growth in that particular area, he/she needs to learn a new skill. To be an apprentice to a new skill, we need to pick up an area and go ahead as an apprentice. You can understand the world of work by being an apprentice.

The three transitions are

1. Entering the world of apprenticeship
2. Being a part of that particular domain as an employee
3. Be an entrepreneur which is more aspirational in that area

If you focus on these three, you will reach your aspiration.

Also Read: NSN Connect 2022 – Re-igniting the Skilling Landscape in India – Episode 5 https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/nsn-connect-2022-re-igniting-the-skilling-landscape-in-india-episode-5/

A person finishes his/her MBA and looks for a monthly wage job. Work is a necessity and 50% of India is considered an entrepreneur because of this sheer reason. So, for them ‘naukri lag gayi’ is huge. It depends on which stage the society is in. a carpenter will start earning better with skilling and merging skilling and education.

We see a lot of scope for skilling and education to play an important role in the coming years to help the grow in their career and earn better.