How Every State Is Strengthening Its Employability Infrastructure

Dr Nipun Sharma,CEO, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship

Across India, state governments are taking bold steps to enhance employability and prepare a workforce equipped for future industry demands. With a strong focus on ease of doing business, industrialisation, and attracting foreign investments, states are investing in creating a skilled talent pool by linking skilling programs directly to market requirements and embedding practical, on-the-job learning. These initiatives are creating a steady and reliable talent supply for emerging sectors, strengthening India’s industrial base, and positioning the country as a global hub for skilled professionals.

For example, Telangana has launched a dedicated wing to create global opportunities for young professionals in countries such as Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Maharashtra has introduced an employment scheme offering short-term, industry-relevant training to 75,000 youth. These initiatives demonstrate a strategic focus on aligning skilling programs with real-world industry needs and bridging the gap between education and employment.

According to Dr. Nipun Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, these initiatives are critical to unlocking India’s demographic dividend. He described Telangana’s move as “a forward-looking step toward enabling global mobility for Indian talent,” emphasising that targeted training, structured apprenticeships, and strong public-private partnerships are key to building a sustainable talent pipeline and meeting the evolving needs of industries.

On Maharashtra’s program, Dr. Sharma highlighted the importance of integrating apprenticeships, continuous upskilling, and industry collaboration. “This ensures that youth not only acquire relevant skills but are also prepared to contribute effectively from day one,” he said.

Dr. Sharma added that as states invest in innovation hubs, technical institutions, and AI labs, embedding apprenticeship-driven employability programs will ensure that education evolves from theory to practice, building a future-ready workforce capable of driving long-term economic growth.