Rakshit Kejriwal, Phillips Education Power Modi’s Viksit Bharat Vision Through Skills

India is at a defining moment in its growth story. With ambitious targets in aerospace, defence, semiconductors, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, the need for a highly skilled workforce is greater than ever. According to the World Economic Forum, 44% of today’s skills will be obsolete by 2030, while India is targeting a $64 billion semiconductor market by 2026, a $70 billion aerospace and defence sector by 2030, and 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The dialogue focused on the central question: Can India become a global economic and industrial leader without addressing the skills gap? McKinsey estimates that effective skilling could add $500 billion to India’s GDP by 2030, with sectors like aerospace and defence requiring lakhs of trained professionals to meet demand.

Shri Bahuguna underscored the importance of aligning education and training with industry needs, noting that India’s demographic dividend can only deliver results if supported by robust skilling pathways. Rakshit Kejriwal, Global President of Phillips Education, called for the formation of a National Skilling Coalition comprising government, academia, industry, and CSR partners to accelerate workforce readiness. “If infrastructure builds nations, skills build civilizations,” he stated.

The dialogue also showcased Phillips Education’s initiatives, including its Centers of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and Emerging Technologies, where graduates achieve 100% placement; its R&D collaboration with IIT Bombay on hybrid manufacturing technologies; and its Skilling for Inclusion programs that equip underserved communities with entry-level technology skills. The event concluded with a vote of thanks and networking session, setting the stage for deeper collaboration between stakeholders to strengthen India’s human capital and meet its industrial and economic ambitions.

Phillips Education is a global leader in manufacturing technology education focused on bridging the skills gap in machining, additive manufacturing, robotics, and automation. Its programs combine hands-on technical training, digital learning, job-connect services, and international certifications to make learners industry-ready from day one. Through Centers of Excellence, MAKE Labs, and partnerships with enterprises, universities, and CSR initiatives, Phillips Education builds scalable skilling ecosystems that prepare youth, professionals, and underserved communities to thrive in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.