The retail business in India has witnessed phenomenal growth in the last decade, with development taking place not only in the metros, but also in Tier II and Tier III cities. Retail has emerged as a strong, organised industry that is generating employment like never before.

The reasons for this are many – rising incomes and higher purchasing power of the Indian consumer, rapid real estate infrastructure development, better supply chain management and FDI in retail at an all-time high. With the government’s efforts to relax FDI norms, India has received direct inflows from Singapore, Netherlands, Mauritius, US and Japan. The Government is aiming to achieve US$ 100 billion worth of FDI inflows in the next two years.

As per a report by NSDC, India will need a work force of 56 million for this booming sector, and 17.35 million by 2022 itself, with opportunities in sales, merchandising, store management, central management and procurement.

This brings with it an unparalleled need for nation-wide availability of skilled labour, which in turn calls for an increased demand for comprehensive skills training. India has a large labour force to fulfil this demand, but fails to bridge the gap between this labour force and jobs due to lack of adequate skills that the industry demands.

Vocational training at the higher secondary level aims to bridge this gap. Typically, one can enter the retail industry after Class X or XII, and with the right attitude and training. Over a period of time, Associates can advance to specialised jobs or managerial positions that offer higher remuneration.

In alignment with this, SkillEd India is working with Sony India Pvt. Ltd., one of the most recognised consumer electronics brands in the country, along with NSDC to set a smooth channel for the candidates currently undergoing training or who have completed training with NSDC partners or under the PMKVY. SkillEd India aims to meet the human resource requirements of Sony India, both for temporary and permanent positions. Candidates will also receive company-specific training and complete support from SkillEd India mentors.

SkillEd India aims to empower students with the right skill set and knowledge, build their confidence by enhancing their communication and interpersonal skills through practical hands-on activities and real-time experiences, make them technology-savvy with its digital approach, and ultimately enable them to take on these different roles with complete confidence. Most importantly, it aspires to take care of the bigger picture – that of giving students a direction right from when they are in school, so that they have clarity about the path ahead and can pursue it with a sense of purpose, working consistently and diligently on acquiring the skills that the industry demands.