The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), on Monday convened the High-Level Roundtable of the India Skills Accelerator (ISA), bringing together government leaders, industry executives, academia and international organizations to address emerging skills gaps and strengthen India’s position as a global talent hub.
Held under the theme “From Insight to Action: Closing Skills Gaps for Growth,” the roundtable focused on aligning skilling systems with evolving labour market needs, developing innovative skills financing models and accelerating workforce readiness in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, supply chains and the green economy.
The India Skills Accelerator, approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2026 and hosted by MSDE as part of the WEF Global Accelerators Network, aims to foster public-private collaboration to create a future-ready workforce. The dialogue was co-chaired by Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Apollo HealthCo Executive Chairperson Shobana Kamineni and Bajaj Finserv CMD Sanjiv Bajaj, alongside WEF Managing Director Mirek Dušek.
Jayant Chaudhary said India’s demographic strength could become a major driver of global growth if skills remain aligned with changing technological and industrial demands, while Dr. Majumdar stressed stronger integration between education and employability.
In Guwahati, the initiative could create new opportunities for Assam and the Northeast by improving access to industry-relevant training and skilled employment. As sectors such as digital technology, advanced manufacturing and green industries expand, businesses in Guwahati are expected to benefit from a larger pool of trained talent, enhancing the region’s attractiveness for investment and economic growth.
The roundtable concluded with a shared commitment from stakeholders, including representatives from Apollo Hospitals, Bajaj Finserv, JSW Group, Mahindra Group, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, TCS, Wipro, Reliance Foundation, IBM, Reliance Industries, CII, FICCI, AICTE, UGC and key government bodies, to advance workforce transformation and inclusive growth through structured public-private collaboration.
