By Ramesh Alluri Reddy,
“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles,” wrote Karl Marx, a sentiment that deeply resonates within India’s historical context. Through centuries of dynastic rule, colonial domination, and the arduous path to independence, India’s labor force has served as both the engine and the victim of economic progress. The enduring legacy of the hierarchical caste system, colonial exploitation, and subsequent industrialisation has left profound imprints on our socio-economic landscape. Women, primarily, have borne the brunt of systemic inequalities, often confined to domestic roles or trapped in low-paying, precarious employment.
Despite these entrenched challenges, India’s economic landscape is experiencing a dynamic shift, buoyed by legislative reforms and educational advancements aimed at dismantling discriminatory practices and empowering women in the workforce. Government schemes and initiatives like the Skill India Mission, Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP), Seekho Aur Kamao, Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts Crafts for Development (USTAAD), Nai Manzil, and Nai Roshni have played pivotal roles in equipping women with the skills and qualifications necessary for modern workplaces. However, formidable obstacles persist. With India’s workforce exceeding 500 million, only 158 million are women, representing a mere 41.7% participation of women in the workforce. Despite recent improvements, this figure falls short of gender parity, and it is evident that India still grapples with disparities in labor force participation between genders. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts, including investing in education and skills training and leveraging apprenticeships to foster women’s economic participation.
Empowering women for economic participation
India’s labour market is vast and diverse, encompassing informal, formal, primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors, each offering distinct challenges and opportunities for women’s economic empowerment. The informal sector, contributing over half of the country’s GDP, employs nearly 85% of the workforce. Within this, urban females account for 27-28% as own-account workers and 12-13% as unpaid family helpers, compared to urban males at 34-35% and 4-5%, respectively. Encouragingly, the Female Labor Force Participation (FLFP) rate in rural India has risen significantly, from 18-19% in 2017-18 to 30-32%, reflecting progress in women’s economic inclusion. Furthermore, women’s participation in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has surged by 66% in two years, growing from 21.8 million in 2021-22 to 36.2 million in 2023-24. However, despite these gains, formalising the workforce remains critical to improving conditions for lower-income and semi-skilled women. In the secondary sector, including mining, manufacturing, and electricity, urban female workers represent only 20-24% of the workforce, in contrast to 33-34% of men. This underrepresentation is also seen in feeder institutes like Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), where just 6% of enrolled candidates are women, reflecting significant barriers. Furthermore, women in India continue to face substandard working conditions and traditional frameworks that constrain their progress, highlighting the need for continuous efforts to bridge the gap.
Leveraging Apprenticeships for inclusive growth
Concerted efforts are essential to foster an inclusive environment that promotes female workforce participation, and apprenticeships play a pivotal role in this endeavour. These programmes offer structured training by combining on-the-job learning with classroom instruction, equipping women with practical skills and boosting their confidence to excel in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as manufacturing, technology, skilled trades, and emerging fields like robotics, automation, and AI. For instance, women in apprenticeships in sectors like automotive engineering or information technology gain industry-specific experience, helping them build networks and explore career paths that were previously inaccessible.
Moreover, employers are increasingly recognising the value of onboarding women apprentices. Apprenticeships embedded with degree programs enhance skill development, improve returns on talent investment, and create a cost-effective talent supply chain. Furthermore, community investments in apprenticeships also strengthen brand equity, attracting quality talent and fostering loyalty and productivity. Integrating apprenticeships with educational programs provides women with a valuable pathway to acquire specialized skills, further enhancing their employability and career prospects. Currently, women constitute 24% of apprentices in India, indicating progress but also highlighting significant room for expansion and inclusion. These programs are crucial in bridging the gap between educational attainment and employability, offering women opportunities to enter and thrive in sectors where they have been historically underrepresented.
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Strategies for women’s participation in Apprenticeships
To sustain and enhance the positive trajectory of women thriving in sectors where they have been historically underrepresented, several strategies can be implemented to make apprenticeship programs more inclusive for women:
- Provide targeted support services such as childcare facilities, flexible working hours, and mentorship programs to accommodate women’s diverse responsibilities and career aspirations.
- Implement policies that ensure unbiased recruitment practices and actively seek to recruit women into traditionally male-dominated apprenticeship roles.
- Highlight successful women who have thrived in apprenticeships to inspire and motivate aspiring female apprentices, showcasing diverse career pathways and opportunities.
- Conduct awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders about the benefits of gender diversity in apprenticeships and dispel stereotypes about gender roles in technical fields.
- Foster networks and communities where female apprentices can connect, share experiences, and support each other, fostering a sense of belonging and professional growth.
The engagement of over 581,000 women as apprentices signifies a major step toward gender inclusivity, highlighting women’s increasing commitment to technical and vocational training. Employers are adopting a gender-neutral stance, especially in traditionally male-dominated sectors, emphasising their role in fostering the participation of women in the workforce. In India’s journey towards economic empowerment and gender equality, apprenticeships are a transformative strategy to uplift women and bridge long-standing disparities in the workforce.
(Ramesh Alluri Reddy is the Chief Executive Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship)
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