Addressing Skill Deficiency in Construction through Apprenticeship

The construction industry, employing approximately 71 million workers as of 2023, faces a significant challenge: 81% of its workforce lacks the necessary skills to meet growing demands and enhance productivity. Graduates from construction-related educational programs are unable to fill this gap adequately.

To address this issue, apprenticeships, particularly degree-embedded ones and work-integrated learning programs, emerge as a promising solution. These initiatives integrate education with practical experience, effectively bridging the skills gap. Data from the NAPS portal highlights the success of apprenticeship programs in the construction sector, having trained nearly 40,000 apprentices across various domains over recent years.

However, a tripartite partnership between the government, industry, and academic institutions is crucial to sustain and expand this success. Such collaborations can ensure the scalability and effectiveness of apprenticeship programs, providing a structured approach to skill development and workforce enhancement. Additionally, these programs offer qualification modularity, enabling participants to acquire industry-recognized certifications gradually, thus fostering long-term workforce development and supporting the industry's ongoing growth.

Role of Apprenticeship

In the construction industry, out of 71 million workers, only 4.4 million are core skilled employees, while an additional 6.9 million are vocationally trained workers, underscoring the necessity to upskill and reskill more than half of the workforce. Apprenticeships emerge as pivotal solutions, providing crucial on-the-job training, stipends, and increased post-apprenticeship placement opportunities, fostering skill development. As the industry rapidly adopts advanced technologies such as BIM and drones alongside sustainable practices, apprenticeships become even more crucial for cultivating talent in emerging roles like green skills and construction technologists. Through degree-based learning programs, apprenticeships integrate skill training for these evolving technologies, bridging the gap between education and industry demands and nurturing a future-ready workforce. Furthermore, apprenticeships are vital in formalising the rural workforce, offering employment opportunities, essential skills, and formal recognition. This addresses the persistent skills gap and drives economic growth and community empowerment in rural areas. By aligning apprenticeship initiatives with localised industry demands, tailored skill training programs can further enhance workforce localisation and skill development, ensuring a robust and adaptable workforce across the construction sector.

Job roles in demand

According to data from the National Skill Development Council (NSDC), the real estate sector employs around 87% of the workforce, which includes both skilled and unskilled employees. On the other hand, the infrastructure sector employs the remaining 13%. By 2030, the demand for specialists such as engineers, technicians, foremen, and back-end services will increase by 1.5 times compared to 2023.  As a result, there will be a growing need for professionals in various sectors such as engineering, technology, project management, and corporate functions like human resources, finance, and procurement. To fulfil these requirements, scalable skilling models like apprenticeships are necessary to ensure a steady supply of skilled talent. Formalizing apprenticeships in the construction sector can be a targeted solution to address the shortage of skilled workers while creating opportunities for women. Apprenticeship programs, including degree apprenticeships, can provide comprehensive training combining hands-on experience with degree programs and diplomas in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and masonry, helping the apprentices gain proficiency in essential skills and safety protocols while being equipped with the knowledge necessary to obtain degrees in relevant fields such as civil engineering or construction management.

Evolution of Apprencticeship  in Construction Market

In the last five years, the number of apprenticeships in the construction industry has grown significantly. From only 716 in 2017-18, there are now almost 40,000 apprentices engaged. This growth of over 15 times indicates the increasing importance of apprenticeships in addressing skilled labour shortages and promoting diversity within the sector. To make the most of apprenticeships and meet the future workforce demands, it's essential to integrate them into the education system. The training modules should align with industry needs, including emerging technologies like ICTs and IoTs, to ensure apprentices receive relevant hands-on experience. By offering specialised courses that meet global standards through apprenticeships, graduates can become more attractive to overseas markets, improving their employability. This global-centric approach equips apprentices with vital skills for international competitiveness and contributes to the sector's growth and innovation. By implementing these measures, the construction industry can bridge existing skill gaps and cultivate a skilled, diverse workforce poised for sustained success.

Apprenticeship programs play a vital role in addressing unemployment and underemployment in the construction sector, pivotal given its significant contribution to Indian employment and anticipated industry growth. With a projected skill gap of 9 million by 2027, the industry's sustainability is at risk. These programs provide structured pathways for individuals to acquire essential construction skills, integrating academic learning with practical experience for both academic proficiency and skill development. They offer avenues for career advancement and stable employment, particularly benefiting those with limited access to traditional education. Moreover, apprenticeships foster diversity and inclusivity within the workforce, aligning with broader societal goals. As higher education shifts towards experiential learning, apprenticeship programs lead the way by offering practical approaches to address industry needs. Integrated into traditional educational pathways, they ensure students are well-prepared for evolving industry demands, shaping the future of construction workforce development. With a growth of over 15 times from 716 in 2017-18 to 11,251 in 2023-24, apprenticeships demonstrate their effectiveness in meeting industry demands and bridging skill gaps.