India’s manufacturing sector is at the forefront of the country’s economic revival. Once dominated by the services sector, manufacturing is now the basis for growth, focusing on the government’s Indian makeup campaign and industrial development.
Sector growth essentially requires skilled workers for the maintenance of production lines and facilities. This need for expansion of practical expertise places the Indian blue-collar workforce at the heart of this revival.
In fact, blue-collar workers account for more than 80% of non-farm workers in India. This is evidence of its role in reshaping the country’s economic trajectory. From operating assembly lines in busy factories to handling logistics and supply chains, these employees are the backbone of large-scale production across India.
As the country aims to solidify its position as a global manufacturing hub, ensuring the skills development and safety of a blue-collar workforce is an ethical imperative and economic necessity. To advance this vision, it is important to explore in detail why a focus is needed on this workforce segment.
The importance of empowering blue-collar workers
The focus on manufacturing has created a growing demand for skilled blue-collar employees across key industrial sectors. McKinsey & Company estimates that by 2030, 70% of India’s 90 million new jobs will be in the blue-collar role. This predicted growth requires a workforce with modern skills and a safer work environment.
Due to its superiority in modern manufacturing operations, the workforce requires specialized training for emerging niches acquired in India, from precision engineering and advanced material processing to custom component manufacturing and new technology. These new manufacturing capabilities require tailored training programs that go beyond technical skills.
Foundries, for example, often struggle to find skilled workers to support the requirements of a new era of industry. This produces a productivity bottleneck and a desired quality output. Furthermore, many sectors essential to the manufacture of demand workers skilled in digital literacy and data analysis highlight the need for targeted skills development programs.
In addition to the skills gap, Indian manufacturing continues to tackle workplace safety challenges. According to the Industrial Union Report, in 2024 alone, more than 400 workers lost safety, and 240 workplace accidents killed them, dating back to the manufacturing, energy and mining sectors.
Heavy machinery use, prevalence of dangerous chemicals, and poor compliance with safety protocols have contributed to these unfortunate incidents.
Clearly there is an urgent need to implement strong safety protocols. The silver lining means that governments, both in India and worldwide, prioritize initiatives to ensure skills and safety among blue-collar employees.
The role of government in promoting a better work environment
The Indian government has launched several initiatives to enhance the welfare and skill development of the blue-collar workforce. For example, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) offers short-term skills training. The Indian Skills Institute is also addressing this gap by offering training programs in a variety of cutting-edge fields.
Additionally, the E-SHRAM portal brings unorganized workers under social security scope to address profit gaps such as social insurance and pensions.
Globally, governments are taking proactive steps to improve the blue-collar work environment. In Germany, for example, the dual education system integrates vocational training and classroom education, creating a skilled workforce for the role of a specialized manufacturing industry. Similarly, Sweden’s robust safety regulations and the Workers’ Council ensure high standards of workplace safety and employee welfare.
These measures reiterate that in India and abroad, governments and policymakers can bring about drastic positive changes that benefit the blue-collar workforce. India is taking steady steps towards this goal, but can also benefit from other collective measures to improve the blue-collar workplace ecosystem.
Build an overall working environment
Automation can effectively minimize human interventions in high-risk activities in workplaces. Technologies such as robotic arms and automated assembly lines not only increase manufacturing efficiency in India, but also position them as safer and more attractive destinations for global manufacturing contracts.
World-class manufacturing also requires world-class safety standards. Beyond basic compliance, Indian manufacturers must implement strict safety protocols that match the global benchmarks, including dedicated safety teams, advanced ventilation systems and comprehensive training modules. These investments have a direct impact on quality control and production efficiency. This is essential for competing in the global market.
In addition to these measures to ensure workplace safety, the Skills Development Programme is important to ensure India’s global competitiveness. Industry and academia collaboration helps design courses to meet modern manufacturing needs. Another part of the puzzle is a culture that emphasizes inclusivity and work-life balance. This is extremely important for blue-collar workers who often engage in physically demanding roles.
You can also benefit from corporate perks such as healthcare, paid leave and retirement plans. All of these can greatly improve morale and loyalty. Companies that promote such collaboration and provide clear growth paths for workers often create an irreplaceable sense of belonging.
As blue-collar workers form the backbone of industrial growth, these measures become increasingly important as they move into the future. Their empowerment ensures a stronger and more resilient manufacturing ecosystem. Investing in a blue-collar workforce will drive the sector to unprecedented heights, fostering long-term economic stability and comprehensive growth as India wants to lead at a global stage. It will be a catalyst to promote.
Bharat Gite is the managing director and CEO of Taural India.
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of your story.)
