India’s manufacturing sector has witnessed a growth of 36 per cent in job postings, said a report by global matching and hiring platform, Indeed. Data released by Indeed indicated that production/manufacturing continues to remain one of the most hired functional areas in the past year. Functional areas are teams of employees who have similar skills and expertise.
However, the data also revealed a noteworthy trend: while hiring in this sector has experienced a steady upswing, there is a noticeable degrowth of 3 per cent in job seeker interest for manufacturing jobs leading to a 40 per cent talent mismatch in this sector.
The Indeed Hiring Tracker (FYQ2) also revealed insights on moonlighting. “Within the manufacturing sector, 79 per cent of employers are not in favour of moonlighting, believing that it violates their employment contract and work ethic. For a significant segment of blue-collar workers in this sector, it would mean loss of additional income, which could also be a contributing factor to the thin decline in applicants this year,” it said.
Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India, said, “The growth in demand for manufacturing jobs is a positive sign for India’s economy. As the country strives to position itself as a global export leader, it is crucial to address the talent mismatch to ensure that the industry continues to grow. Investment in upskilling will create a skilled talent pool that correctly understands technology to ensure higher efficiency without leading to an unnecessary loss of jobs. Advocacy for upskilling and reskilling programs can help bridge the gap between job seekers and employers, and the government’s efforts in promoting the manufacturing industry can provide a conducive environment for job creation.”
The quarterly survey by FICCI, March 2023 had also displayed a positive hiring sentiment for manufacturing sectors such as, capital goods, cement, electronics, petrochemicals and fertilizers, textiles, apparels, and technical textiles.