Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network 2023-2024

26Case study 10: Upskilling and development Context: The initiative aims to cultivate a highly skilled talent pool to advance the healthcare and life sciences sectors, supporting their scalable growth. A central challenge the initiative addresses is the substantial demand-supply gap in skilled talent, which has become a barrier to industry expansion. Action: Comprehensive research was conducted to pinpoint the skills gap and identify potential solutions. In collaboration with the Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK), the centre organized a workshop with principals and training and placement officers from 17 colleges across Telangana. This workshop aimed to understand student perspectives on upskilling programmes and identify challenges. A pilot programme focusing on medicinal and analytical chemistry was launched to deliver targeted training. Next steps: The initiative is on track to train over 50,000 students in the next five years. By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical experience and soft skills training, the initiative addresses the industry’s demand-supply gap, equipping students to meet the demands of a competitive job market and contributing to the sustainable growth of the life sciences sector. Telangana Result: The initiative partnered with over 100 colleges and engaged more than 2,000 students. It offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, preparing students for competitive roles in the life sciences sector. Early achievements also include the establishment of strategic partnerships with leading life sciences companies that have committed to providing mentorship and recruitment opportunities.