Telecommunications Day: Upskilling and Reskilling to bridge the 5G talent gap

Upskilling and reskilling are approaches to address the evolving skill requirements in the workforce due to technological advancements and changing job market demands. Let's understand each term:

• Upskilling: Upskilling refers to the process of acquiring new skills or enhancing existing ones to keep up with the evolving needs of the job market. It involves developing proficiency in new technologies, tools, or practices to stay relevant in a rapidly changing work environment. Upskilling helps individuals remain employable, improve job prospects, and adapt to new roles or responsibilities within their current field.
• Reskilling: Reskilling involves learning a completely new set of skills that are different from an individual's current skill set. It is often necessary when technological advancements render existing skills obsolete or when job roles become redundant. Reskilling allows individuals to transition into new industries or occupations and pursue emerging career opportunities.

The advent of technologies like 5G brings about significant changes in various industries and job markets. To harness the potential of 5G and leverage its benefits, upskilling and reskilling initiatives become crucial. Organizations and individuals need to invest in training programs, courses, and resources to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills required to work with 5G technology effectively. This may involve learning about network infrastructure, IoT integration, data security, and other relevant areas.

Currently, 5G services are being launched in Indian cities by telecom behemoths like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. As more cities in the country become 5G ready, they are also gradually adding 5G support to those cities. As a result, businesses must work harder than ever to find and use the specialised workforce needed to integrate the new technology.

The global 5G services market is anticiapted to be worth USD 249.2 Billion in 2026, at a CAGR of 29.4%, while the global 5G infrastructure market is estimated to be worth USD 47.7 Billion at a CAGR of 67.1% around the same time.

The telecom skills body esimates that by 2025, 22 million workers will need to upgrade their abilities to keep up with industry demands due to technologies like IoT, AI, machine learning, big data, cloud computing, and robotic process automation.

According to Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India, “Telecom Industry is growing towards a new phase of digital transformation and is poised to significantly propel development across industries while creating more personalized and better user experiences. New-gen technologies like the Internet of Things, 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, Metaverse, and AR/VR are ushering in a new wave of innovations. MediaTek remains focused on R&D in new-age technologies like 5G, edge computing, and AIoT, which are required to drive the growth of the telecom industry and is also supporting the user’s needs in areas like connectivity and networking, such as bringing reliable two-way satellite communications, telemedicine, and remote education among others. The IT sector has revolutionized the entire world and spearheaded technological innovations by allowing people to stay connected everywhere & all the time.”

New business models were made possible by 4G's widespread video streaming, dependable payment processing, multiplayer gaming, and widespread social networking. The new age industries are now anticipated to undergo different transformations as a result of 5G. The 5G commercial industry is expanding at an exponential rate, a transformation that is occuring so quicky that organisations and their talent handling teams are hardly keeping up with the capabilities required to flourish.

Arvind Bali, CEO, Telecom Sector Skill Council said , "As the telecom sector in India moves ahead in the 5G revolution and aims towards achieving 6G capabilities by 2030, the need for skilled technical manpower becomes even more critical. India currently faces a 2.19mn telecom demand-supply gap, which is expected to increase to 3.8 times by 2030. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, training institutes, and the support of the government, we aim to train over 1 lac and place more than 1.25 lac youth in cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, network virtualization, and IoT in this year. We believe, with the right reskilling and hiring techniques by targeting adjacent talent in Tier-II & III cities and University supply, India has a robust opportunity to narrow the widening demand-supply gap by 2030. The skilled workforce will be the backbone in empowering the development of our growing economy. As we move towards a connected future, TSSC remains steadfast in its mission to provide industry-relevant training, foster innovation, and create a talent pool equipped to thrive in the dynamic and growing landscape of the telecom sector in India.”

Additionally, upskilling and reskilling programs should focus on other emerging technologies that complement 5G, such as edge computing, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics. This broader skill set will enable individuals to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the 5G ecosystem and contribute to the digital transformation across various sectors.

The skillsets needed to develop, implement, and maintain them will change immediately as network operators step up their investments for a smooth transition to 5G. It is essential to have more software knowledge to comprehend network monitoring and management.

According to Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd.), Director General, Indian Space Association, "As the 5G revolution gains momentum in India, satellite broadband will also be a key differentiator to bridge the digital divide in the country. High-quality broadband connectivity is critical for economic growth and prosperity, as we have seen globally and in India. The urban-rural divide remains severe with nearly 75% of rural India lacking access to broadband and many locations still lacking reliable cellular or fibre connectivity. There is a massive scope in India for the space-based solutions that are necessary to be harnessed owing to the massive demand generation taking place with the rise in mobile banking, online education, etc. Satellite communication will prove to be a gamechanger in the coming decade with its immense capability to reach the remotest of areas and connect the unconnected to actualize the vision of a Digital Bharat.”

Prior wireless connectivity generations mostly affected network operators, while 5G will affect every industry from, manufacturing to energy, transportation and even space. Due to its capabilities, 5G can boost productivity in the existing businss environment and even act as a path for additional innovation.

5G technology offers transformative capabilities, and upskilling/reskilling plays a vital role in ensuring individuals and organizations can fully leverage its potential. By adapting and acquiring the necessary skills, individuals can enhance their employability and contribute to the ongoing digital revolution in diverse industries.