FICCI to take action for more job creation

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Namrata Kath Hazarika | 26 Apr, 2013
Industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Thursday has undertaken a resolution to generate more jobs and provide training to create efficient workforce for the industry.

"The job creation agenda for India today is clean. We have to create jobs and prepare people to fill these jobs. And, we are working in both ends of this agenda. The biggest job creator per se has to be industry," said Naina Kidwai, President, FICCI in a press briefing in New Delhi.

She added that the major policy framework for skills development in country is now in place with the efforts of FICCI and all other stakeholders. The focus will now be on implementation and integration of the vocational and education systems and creating a conducive environment for the youth to participate in the skills development movement.

When asked whether fiscal incentives are necessary for the purpose, she mentioned, "I don't believe that fiscal incentives are necessary. They are nice to have but industry will drive this agenda because they need young people to equip to do this jobs. That is going to be biggest driver."

She further called for more initiatives that should be taken by companies to expand their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).

"This is an interesting area and the government is supporting it," she added.

Also, India has seen a spectacular growth during last few decades which reflects in terms of improved human development indicators such as health, education and employment, Ficci President said.

However, she said the fruits of this growth have not evenly reached all sections of the society due to a number of socio-economic barriers, creating islands of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. This situation has put a question mark on the sustainability of India's growth pattern.

To address the issue of socio-economic exclusion, Ficci has adopted a Code of Conduct on Affirmative Action to promote inclusive growth, create opportunities and empowerment of backward sections of the society, Kidwai said.

The members of Ficci National Executive Committee in their resolution has accepted the code of conduct which includes providing and promoting equal opportunity to all its employees and any form of bias, or discrimination based on caste, religion or gender is not practiced, FICCI informed media here.

Kidwai also feels the need for bringing in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for skilling people in the country. "We also need to attract FDI for job creation. Are we the most attractive destination for job creation? The answer is clearly no. We need to do a lot more," she added.

Currently, FICCI plans to certify 15 million people over the next 10 years. For this FICCI is incubating 3 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) on Media and Entertainment, Capital Goods and Food Processing. In addition, FICCI is also co-promoting the Agriculture Sector Skills Council. The National Occupational Standards created by these SSCs will be the key to integrate 'Employability' to 'Education'.

The national agenda of skilling 500 million people by 2022 is foremost in the chamber's action plan.