New Delhi, Dec 28 (NationPress) The electronics sector in India is forecasted to produce 12 million jobs by 2027, which includes 3 million direct positions and 9 million indirect roles, as stated in a report published on Saturday.

Direct job opportunities are expected to encompass nearly 1 million engineers, 2 million ITI-certified professionals, and 0.2 million specialists in areas such as AI, ML, and data science. Meanwhile, the non-technical sector is projected to contribute 9 million indirect jobs, showcasing the vast potential of this sector to drive economic development, according to the report by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship.

The electronics industry aims for an ambitious target of achieving $500 billion in manufacturing output by the year 2030. To reach this goal, the sector must expand five-fold within the next five years to close a $400 billion production gap.

Currently, domestic production is valued at $101 billion, with mobile phones contributing 43 percent, followed by consumer and industrial electronics at 12 percent each, and electronic components at 11 percent.

In addition, emerging areas such as auto electronics (8 percent), LED lighting (3 percent), wearables and hearables (1 percent), and PCBAs (1 percent) present significant growth opportunities, the report noted.

“India’s electronics sector, valued at $101 billion, is rapidly positioning itself as a global electronics hub, contributing 3.3 percent to global manufacturing and 5.3 percent to India’s total merchandise exports in FY23,” stated Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship.

Despite its modest 4 percent share in global value chains, the sector holds substantial growth potential by transitioning beyond final assembly to encompass design and component manufacturing.

“As opportunities and job creation increase, a multi-faceted strategy is crucial, emphasizing the need for apprenticeships, reskilling, and upskilling to develop a workforce ready for the future,” Kumar added.

Moreover, enhancing capacity is essential, particularly considering that ITIs currently operate at merely 51 percent enrollment. Employers and industries can bolster this effort by establishing in-house training centers and partnering with educational institutions through Work-Integrated Learning Programs (WILP) and degree apprenticeships, the report highlighted.

According to AR Ramesh, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, India’s electronics sector has experienced impressive growth, driven by initiatives like ‘Make in India’, the ‘National Electronics Policy’, PLI schemes, and ‘Digital India’.