A recent report highlights the apprentice hiring sentiment across sectors and regions. According to the TLDA, across 55% of Indian industries, employers have expressed the net intent to increase their apprentice pool in H2, 2022. Overall, apprentice hiring sentiment has seen a 24% increase in H2 2022, as compared to H2 2021. Close to 77% of employers have indicated an interest in increasing their apprentice intake in the half year.
More organizations across industries have realized the welding power of apprenticeships to create a skilled talent pool. On the other hand, due to the interventions of NEP and the aggressive efforts to expand industry-academia partnerships, awareness at a candidate level has also increased. All of this is aiding the positive sentiment toward apprentice engagement
In the manufacturing sector, the leading industries include electricals & electronics, aerospace and aviation, and engineering & industries. The laggards in the manufacturing segment are Handicrafts & jewelry (NAO: 55%), Apparel & Textiles (NAO: 52%), and Healthcare (NAO: 47%))
ü Electricals & Electronics: The constant growth and development in the sector have paved the way for product and service innovation. Fueled by the increase in per capita income and consumption post the pandemic, the Electrical & Electronics sector tops the list with highest the Net Apprenticeship Outlook. 92% of employers in the sector are keen to deploy apprentices as opposed to 18% in H2 2021. The focus region where the demand has been high is Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Some of the key profiles for which companies are deploying apprentices include Electrician/ Wireman, Mechanical Engineer, and Machine Operator.
ü Aerospace & Aviation: Interestingly, according to the Apprenticeship Outlook Report, aerospace and aviation have also emerged as a top sectors for apprentices (incidentally for the first time). 88% of employers are keen to hire more apprentices. The sector is globally understaffed in the COVID aftermath and organizations have found apprenticeship to be a lucrative solution to their talent crisis. The top profiles in the sector are Service executive, Mechanic, Machine Operator, and Customer Care, Associate.
ü Engineering & Industrial: With industrial activity and manufacturing output increasing frenetically, the sector has seen an NAO of 87% in H2 2022, with high demand for profiles like Machine Operator, Mechanic, and Welder. In H2 of the previous year, NAO stood at 68%. From a services sector point of view, the leaders in apprentice hiring are e-commerce, telecom, and BFSI, and sectors, where hiring has been low, are Logistics (NAO:49%), Life sciences(NAO:45%), and Education (NAO: 41%).
ü Ecommerce: Overall the e-commerce sector has grown exponentially over the last three years. According to industry data, India’s e-commerce market is expected to reach US$ 111 billion by 2024 and US$ 200 billion by 2026. Close to 85% of employers in the e-commerce segment have shared the outlook to engage with apprentices in H2, as compared to 47% in H2 last year. The top profiles for apprentices include sales & marketing executive, marketing, operations, and Account executive and the majority of the hiring is across regions like Coimbatore and Pune.
ü Telecom Services: Close to 81% of employers in the telecom are looking for skilled apprentices across profiles like Assembly Line operators, Telecom In-Store Promoters, and Technicians. In the second half of 2021, NAO stood at 38%. The positive outlook is an outcome of multiple factors like the expected increase in employment for the implementation of 5G which would need a skilled workforce and organization to realize the potential of leveraging apprenticeship to create talent and a strong resource pool.
ü BFSI: With 76% of employers indicating an interest to deploy apprentices across profiles Accounts Executive, Operations Associate, Computer operator, and Database Engineer. Overall the sector has been traditionally warm towards apprentices’ engagement.
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