Building the talent pipeline for India’s next phase of growth

India’s economic ambitions are closely tied to the capabilities of its workforce. As the country strengthens its position in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital services, advanced manufacturing and Global Capability Centres, the conversation around talent has become more nuanced. It spans the quality of education, relevance of skills, adaptability to emerging technologies and the ability of young people to make a confident transition into the workplace.

AI readiness is increasingly becoming a gateway to economic participation, and preparing young people with the skills needed to succeed in an AI-enabled economy will be essential if India is to fully realise its growth ambitions. A recent IBM-IndiaAI report estimates that artificial intelligence could contribute more than $500 billion to India’s economy by 2030, with enterprises increasingly viewing AI as a key driver of economic growth.

Yet, technology alone will not determine India’s success. Equally important is ensuring that young people are equipped to translate academic knowledge into workplace capability. For young people entering the workforce, the transition from classroom to workplace is a defining moment—it is where knowledge is applied, professional confidence develops and careers begin to take shape. Bridging this transition will be critical to building the workforce that India’s next phase of growth demands.

The Prime Minister Internship Scheme

The Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) reflects this need by creating a structured framework through which companies can offer meaningful workplace exposure to young people across the country. It recognises that employability is strengthened through sustained engagement between education and industry, enabling participants to experience real work environments, collaborate with experienced professionals and better understand how technology, business and people come together to solve complex problems.

For companies like IBM, PMIS is an opportunity to contribute to the development of future talent while engaging with young people at an early stage of their professional journey. PMIS interns shared that the programme not only challenged and enhanced their technical capabilities but also emphasized the importance of communication skills and personal branding. They realised that these skills play an important role in building confidence and achieving success in their professional journey.

Our participation in PMIS builds on our broader commitment to developing future-ready talent. As technology continues to evolve, learning has become a continuous process. AI is changing how work gets done, making skills like critical thinking, adaptability and judgement become even more important. Structured internships provide an environment where these capabilities can be nurtured through practical experience, while mentorship helps young professionals navigate workplace challenges and translate learning into impact.

Globally, IBM has committed to skill 30 million people by 2030. As part of that effort, we committed to skill 2 million people in AI specifically by the end of this year, which was completed ahead of schedule. India is central to our global effort, with a commitment to skill 5 million learners in AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing. Delivering on this commitment requires collaboration across the education and workforce ecosystem. From rolling out IBM SkillsBuild, a free technology education programme that provides learners with access to courses in AI, cybersecurity, cloud, quantum computing and professional skills, to collaborating with AICTE on curriculum integration, faculty enablement and hands-on learning, and partnering with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to expand AI and digital skilling across India’s vocational ecosystem, these efforts aim to make learning more accessible, strengthen industry-relevant capabilities and create clearer pathways from education to employment. Together, they contribute to building a workforce that is better equipped to meet the evolving needs of India’ digital economy.

Together, these initiatives reflect our belief that preparing young people for the future of work requires a connected ecosystem where education, employers and government work together to combine foundational knowledge with practical experience and continuous learning.

As India’s digital economy continues to evolve, initiatives like PMIS will play an increasingly important role in strengthening the connection between education and employment. We see our role extending beyond creating internship opportunities. We will continue working alongside government, academia and industry to expand access to pathways for young people to acquire the skills, experience and confidence needed to participate in India's digital economy.

The aspirations of a nation are realised through collective effort. The continued success of PMIS will be shaped by the willingness of stakeholders across sectors to invest in the potential of India’s youth. Building a future-ready workforce is a shared responsibility, and partnerships such as PMIS demonstrate what is possible when the public and private sectors work together with a common purpose.

(The author is Managing Director, IBM India and South Asia. Views are personal.)