India stands at crossroads in its green transition, with the potential to become a global leader in RE. However, it, too, is facing a severe shortage of green workforce. TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship data shows that while the RE sector is estimated to create 1.7 mn jobs, the skill gap in this sector is a whopping 1.2 mn. The same holds in other areas, such as the building sector, where there is shortage of trained manpower across levels-including architects to design sustainable, thermally comfortable homes that use fewer resources and consume less energy.
India urgently needs to fill this skills gap, requiring a stronger foundation in STEM education where its performance is below par. Part of this green workforce gap is due to limited awareness. Training new workers and reskilling the existing workforce are crucial to building a robust green pipeline. However, this effort cannot be limited to urban areas or men. To create an inclusive green economy, central and state governments must actively open up more technical roles for women, ensuring that opportunities are both widespread and equitable.
