Manufacturing jobs

Usha Albuquerque

Over the past decade or so, information technology has been the prima donna of the jobs market attracting the brightest and largest talent in the country. But no longer, as the manufacturing sector, part of the goods-producing industries group, is slowly catching up. The manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. Some of the industries that feature in this category include - the construction industry, automobile industry, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, Textiles and Apparel, Computers and Electronics, petroleum, plastics and chemicals and several others. 

Although India's manufacturing sector has  long performed below potential, the country's rapidly expanding economy, growing by 7 percent a year over the past decade, has given a huge impetus to the manufacturing sector. Moreover, a massive workforce, an emerging supply base, access to natural resources - iron ore and aluminum for engineered goods, cotton for textiles, and coal for power generation- and the 'Make in India' initiative is looking to boost the contribution made by the manufacturing sector from the current 17 per cent to 25 per cent of GDP by the end of year 2020, so as to become a viable manufacturing alternative to China. An important factor of this growth is that while manufacturing gives employment to around 12 per cent of the country's workforce, it has a multiplier effect, as every job created in manufacturing is also creating 2-3 jobs in the services sector. It is, therefore, being estimated that the boost to manufacturing could create 60 million to 90 million new jobs and become an attractive investment destination for its own entrepreneurs and multinational companies. So the manufacturing sector in its upward journey can offer significantly good employment opportunities in the years ahead.

Five growing manufacturing industries for employment opportunities include: 

Construction industry

The construction industry one of the largest employers, currently employs around 40 million people, and affects a number of associated industries such as cement, steel, technology, skill-enhancement, etc. Almost 50 per cent of the demand for construction activity in India comes from the infrastructure sector, the rest comes from industrial activities, residential and commercial development etc. While a general real estate market slowdown over the past decade or so has resulted in a lot of unsold housing projects across India, the arrival of new construction technology, the Smart Cities project, the Government's 'Housing for All by 2022' programme and the entry of international infrastructure players into India is generating an increase in construction activity and revival of employment opportunities across a vast array of different skill sets.

Jobs : It is estimated that this will generate a growing demand for construction professionals such as architects, civil and structural engineers, project engineers, construction and real estate management professionals and others. Nearly 90 per cent of the workforce employed in the real estate and construction sector is engaged in construction of buildings, while the rest 10 per cent is involved in building completion, finishing, electrical, plumbing, other installation services, demolition etc.

Courses

• BArch/ Dip Arch
• BPlanning
• BDes: Interior Design
• PG Dip in Interior Design
• BE/BTech: Civil/ Structural/ Electrical/ Mechanical Engineering
• MBA/PG: Construction management
• PG dip in Facilities  Management
• PG Dip in Real Estate Management

Food processing industry

With India as one of the largest producers of milk, pulses, sugar cane, tea, as well as wheat rice, vegetables and fruit, the food processing industry has great potential for global trade, export and domestic consumption. Major industries constituting the food processing sector are grain milling, sugar, edible oils, beverages, fruits & vegetables processing and dairy products.A

The Government of India has relaxed foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for the sector, allowing up to 100 per cent FDI in food product e-commerce through automatic route. Several MNCs are moving into the food processing sector setting up food research laboratories, state-of-the-art processing facilities and supply chain distribution seeing the potential in processed foods.   State government are promoting Mega Food Parks in different states like Punjab, Bihar, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for the production and processing of different food products.

Jobs : The work in the food industry involves the practical application of the principles of several disciplines of science for the manufacture or production, preservation, processing and handling, and the canning and packaging of food materials. This requires food technologists, chemists, bio-technologists, technicians and engineers. Quality control is normally handled by a chemist or a food technologist, while Organic chemists, bio-chemists and analytical chemists are employed to provide expert advice, study and analyse raw materials and food products and suggest improvements in flavour, texture, storage and quality.

Courses

• BSc Food Science
• BTech Food Technology
• BTech Bio Technology
• BSc / MSc Micro-biology
• BSc/ MSc Bio-chemistry
• BSc/ MSc Bio-technology

Automobile & auto component industry

The Indian auto industry is currently one of the largest in the world. India is the second largest two-wheeler manufacturer, the largest motorcycle manufacturer and the fifth largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world. Asian, European and US automakers have moved their manufacturing facilities to India. Besides Maruti and Hyundai which account for more than half the vehicle sales for their parent companies, India is a huge manufacturing base for Honda, US based Ford Motors, and also France's Renault.  The auto-components industry is also growing exponentially and is set to become the third largest in the world by 2025. 

Jobs : Therefore changing gears into the fast lane means increased employment opportunities for all those involved in the industry, including auto engineers, designers, technicians, sales and marketing, auto ancilliary production and many others. In the next five years, the potential new job roles in the automotive sector will also include automobile analytics engineers, 3D printing technician, as well as experts with new skill sets required in design, operation as well as other elements of the auto value chain. 

Another new role for automobile engineers will be in the area of research and development (R&D), as the country gears up for new green technologies, electric vehicles and automation. 

Courses

• BE/BTech: Automobile Engineering
• BE/BTech: Mechanical / Electrical/ Electronic engineering 
• BDes: Auto Design/ Product Design
• MBA: Marketing

Pharmaceutical industry

India's pharmaceutical industry has advanced hugely in the last three decades both within the country and in exports.  As a result, India has emerged as the world's third largest producer of drugs in terms of volume. So also the exports of generic drugs which have in the last ten years been challenging the strong American drug lobby. The industry has posted double-digit growth making India one of the top five pharmaceutical emerging markets of the world. Developments in the health insurance, medical technology and mobile telephony have stimulated this growth also increasing healthcare access across India. With various financial schemes being made available, several pharma companies, including MNCs, have invested in the country, and set up state-of-the-art R & D facilities. 

Access to a skilled workforce, low cost of production, high managerial and technical competence has enabled the pharma companies to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 15 per cent over the past five years producing immense employment opportunities. There is also need for skilled manpower in Research and Development, Quality Assurance (QA), Intellectual Property (IP), manufacturing as well as sales and marketing.

Despite the challenges from China and its highly productive manufacturing industry, the Indian manufacturing industry is on the rise and will be providing huge employment opportunities in the years ahead.

Jobs : While the pharmacy graduate is the one professional that comes to mind when thinking of the pharmaceutical industry, the professional field is not just limited to drugs or to medicines for human or animal use but also includes medical devices, diagnostics, clinical investigation, and most certainly R & D. This is undertaken by chemists, bio-chemists, biologists, even computer specialists who work with scientists. Almost one quarter of pharmaceutical employees work in production, which accounts for a wide variety of jobs: raw material control, packaging material, manufacturing, quality control of finished products, release of manufactured batches and packaging. Another field is that of pharmaceutical product marketing requiring people with leading-edge scientific, regulatory and marketing skills. Sales are handled by medical sales representatives who call on doctors and pharmacists.

Courses

• BPharm/ DPharm
• BSc/MSc chemistry/bio-chemistry/ micro-biology
• PG Diploma in Clinical Research
• BTech/ MTech Pharmaceutical Technology

Electronics industry

The uses of electronics are endless, never more so relevant than today when productivity in industries like oil, energy, infrastructure, banking and many other important sectors of economy has changed for the better with the use of electronics.  The electronics market of India is one of the largest in the world and comprises of consumer electronics, industrial electronic, electronic components, strategic electronics, semiconductor design and electronic manufacturing services. Large networks of cellular, satellite and digital communications have been introduced into the country, providing state -of the art services. Towns, cities, trade centres, harbours, ports, even space is being connected with underground cables, radio links and satellite. Despite the continuing fast growth of telecom services of large service providers such as Vodafone, Tata telecom, Jio, Airtel and others,  the current demand for electronic products is met by imports. 

However, major government initiatives like Digital India and Make in India have given a boost to this sector.  The government has also set up Electronic Hardware Technology Parks (EHTPs), SEZs and Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) scheme introduced for the growth of electronics. India, therefore, has got great scope and ample opportunity to register a huge growth in Electronics manufacturing.

Jobs : Electronic specialists work on the design and manufacture of electronic devices and systems, the installation, maintenance and repair of electronic systems and equipment, in technical sales, product representation, and systems management on a wide variety of electronic equipment including signal processing, control systems, telecommunications, computer hardware engineering, electric power controls, instrumentation engineering, systems engineering, robotics etc. 

Courses

• BE/BTech - Electronic and Communications engineering
• BE / BTech - Electonics
• BSc - Electronics
• Diploma in Electronics
• Different Electronics Certifications