By Rishabh Nagpal
Behind every innovation, breakthrough, and technological leap, there is a human story of learning, unlearning, and adapting. In the modern context, closing the skill gap is one such tale of inescapable responsibility. It is a core business need that demands collective action from corporations, governments, and academic institutions alike.
This pressing need arises from the fundamental fact that our lives, and especially our work, have changed irreversibly since technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, and big data have undergone innovations at a breakneck speed. For businesses, this means there is no time to stay stunned at the pace of change. The need of the hour is to rethink our approach towards skilling, upskilling, and reskilling to build a future-ready workforce.
A global skills reset is underway
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report, nearly 50% of the global workforce has either already completed or is undergoing upskilling or reskilling programmes. While the pace of ‘skill instability’ may have slowed since the early days of AI adoption, the reality remains unchanged – skills are aging faster than ever before. The report highlights a stark statistic – by 2030, close to 39% of workers’ current skills will be obsolete. This timeline may feel distant, but for businesses operating in the here and now, the momentum to bridge this gap must be relentless.
The future of work will also be shaped not just by the tasks we perform, but also by how we perform them. By 2030, only a third of workplace tasks are expected to be handled solely by humans, down from 47% in 2025. Another third will be managed entirely by technology, while the remaining will require human-machine collaboration. This rebalancing of tasks presents both an opportunity and a challenge. The repetitive, routine-heavy roles will increasingly be automated. But that does not signal the end of human relevance, rather it exerts emphasis on the rising importance of uniquely human skills like creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving.
Skilling as a business strategy
Businesses are treating skilling as a strategic investment, not a compliance checkbox. Many are embedding learning and development (L&D) into their organisational DNA. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, too, are expanding their focus beyond traditional philanthropy. Increasingly, businesses are driving skilling programmes that focus on inclusion, empowering underserved communities, students, and young professionals with access to future-oriented and tech-driven skills.
The emphasis on skilling through CSR activities benefits companies by developing a proficient workforce that significantly contributes to nation-building by improving employability. As an example, Samsung India runs its future-tech skilling initiative – Samsung Innovation Campus, which equips young people with industry-relevant skills and making them job-ready. Through its national education and innovation competition, Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung empowers school and college students from across the country, irrespective of their background, to upskill, innovate, and find technology-driven solutions to real-world societal challenges.
Government-led initiatives like Skill India and Digital India have set a solid foundation. Now, with the timely budgetary allocation of Rs 500 crore in building new Centre of Excellence on AI and with newer AI initiatives to use it for good, there is a chance that we win this race against time. Private enterprises are complementing efforts through strategic collaborations with tech platforms, universities, and global learning networks. According to a latest BCG study, firms are also setting aside investments as much as 1.5% of their budgets towards the skilling purpose.
The skill gap is not just an HR problem. It is a growth problem. It is a competitiveness problem. And it is a human potential problem. The future belongs to those who can adapt the fastest. Businesses, educators, and policymakers must continue to collaborate not just to bridge the skill gap, but also to build an India where no one is left behind in the race for growth.
The author is head of People Team, Samsung India.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of FinancialExpress.com. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.