Proposed solution which can convey how the nature of work is changing and what your country / sector governments can do to prepare and support their workforces

1. Project Work
A proposed solution which can convey how the nature of work is changing and
what your country/sector governments can do to prepare and support their
workforces
Country considered: India
India is on the cusp of transformation. From being primarily an agrarian economy at the
time of Independence in 1947, it is now on its path to becoming a modern economy with
predominant non-agriculture activities. The share of agriculture and allied activities has
come down from about 59% of GDP in 1950-51 to about 16 % of GDP presently. There
is a gradual decrease in contribution of agriculture to total national income with a
simultaneous increase in manufacturing and services sectors. As per Gross Value Added
(GVA) at current prices, Agriculture and Allied sector, Industry sector and Services sector
contribute nearly 16%, 30% and 54% respectively. Services sector has steadily attained
a considerable size and dimension in its forms of activities and is playing an important
role in the development of India.
As with other parts of the world, India is also not untouched with the developments in
technology. In fact, it is the harbinger of software development across the world. Since
early 1990’s Indian IT companies have carved a niche for themselves and have become
known for their IT prowess. India being a low-cost labor market, thereby providing
competitive advantage, global industries have used the successful outsourcing model to
keep ahead of their rivals.
The last decade or so has been a period of digital
transformation in India. There has been a gradual
integration of digital technology into all areas of a
business, fundamentally changing how one
operates and delivers value to the customers. A
distinct shift towards digital is perceptible in tune
with the advancements in technology. It is
fundamentally changing the way organizations work
by continuously challenging the status quo and
continuously experimenting. Realizing that the digital is the way forward, the Govt. of India
has launched “Digital India” campaign. The primary aim of the campaign is to ensure that
the Government's services are made available to citizens electronically by improved
online infrastructure and by increasing Internet connectivity or by making the country
digitally empowered in the field of technology. The initiative includes plans to connect
rural areas with high-speed internet networks. Digital India consists of three core
components:

2. (i) Development of secure and stable digital infrastructure;
(ii) Delivering government services digitally; and
(iii) Universal digital literacy.
As an enabling factor towards Digital India, the Govt. has also launched the world’s largest
biometrics based identification system, called “Aadhaar”.
The Aadhaar identity platform, which is a 12-digit random number, provides every
resident of the country with a unique identity based on ten fingerprints, two iris scans and
facial photograph. Aadhaar is a strategic policy tool for
social and financial inclusion, delivery of various
subsidies, benefits and services directly to the residents’
based on the Aadhaar number only.
Aadhaar is only one of the manifestations of the latest
advancements in technology. Another development
which has transformed the business landscape is the gradual increase of social media
such as facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc. Social media has become vital for any business
marketing strategy. It impacts businesses positively in terms of brand recognition,
customer engagement, revenues and customer service.
While India may not be a manufacturing hub, however, the automation and technological
progress in the manufacturing sector is also hurting the job growth. Robots are taking
over many routine tasks thereby endangering many low skill jobs. As India has plenty of
labor, the impact of automation is severe. However,
while sometimes, technology may be disruptive, it
also opens up several new possibilities and
opportunities paving the way for new types of jobs and
delivery of public services. A case in point is the
“Aadhaar” as mentioned above. It has enabled the
Govt. to effect direct benefit transfers to millions of
poor people without any leakage of funds due to
elimination of the intermediaries.
With the changing landscape, it is all the more necessary to take up the challenges of the
new technological world order in right earnest. The future is expected to bring in a whole
set of new opportunities and challenges that may necessitate fundamental challenges in
business outlook and culture. There is an urgent necessity to train people for the new
skills that are required for the times to come. As the World Development Report 2019
(World Bank Group Flagship Report) has stated, it has become imperative to invest in
human capital to reap the benefits in future. The Govt. would need to invest in health,
nutrition and education which are the building blocks of human capital. “Catch’em young”
should be the mantra for providing right type of education from the early childhood to
better prepare the individual for the jobs of future. For the present, there should be
institutionalized solution for reskilling and upskilling of jobs where the employees can

3. update themselves and prepare for new set of jobs that are constantly evolving due to the
changing nature of jobs on account of automation and technological progress.