Manipal Skill Development Centre : Building India’s Future Workforce With High-Tech Skill Development

The demand for qualified specialists in robotics, automation, mechatronics and drone control is rapidly growing across the industry. Industries such as defense, construction, logistics, entertainment and agriculture are increasingly adopting these technologies including mechatronics based systems to enhance operational efficiency and precision. Moreover, Indian government policies, both “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, drive technologies, and innovation through the adoption of revolutionary solutions, such as those that integrate mechatronics for advanced automation and smart systems. However, the main obstacles to the implementation of technologies are the shortage of skilled workers, complicated regulations, and the high cost of training.

Manipal Skill Development Centre (MSDC) uses its skill development program to prepare students for high-demand careers and offers additional skill-based training. Its vision is to create a world-class skill development center at Manipal to meet the country’s growing industrial requirements and address the challenge of imparting the skills required to leverage the demographic dividend. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 demands job experts to acquire new skills as it integrates Artificial Intelligence with IoT (Internet of Things), robotics, and automation technology.

Fulfilling the Demand for Skilled Technicians

The expansion of the renewable energy sector demands skilled technicians because of the growing funding for wind power and solar power development. Electric vehicles are becoming more prevalent in the market because their operation needs both technicians who work with batteries and those who install charging systems. These fast-growing industries reveal a major challenge because promising candidates face barriers to obtain training programs that combine theory with practical skills education.

MSDC resolves these industry problems through its training programs that focus on practical expertise for students. As a government-recognized institution, it maintains its curriculum at the level required by various industry sectors. They offer comprehensive educational programs that teach drone technology and robotics elements, including High-end robots along with automation features, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicle training like retrofitting, assembly and battery maintenance. Students learn valuable practical skills through a curriculum that gets developed with industry representatives to make skills directly relevant for professional use.

Our students spend 80 percent of their academic period on machinery, ensuring they are industry-ready before they graduate

In India, operating drones commercially requires certified pilots, as mandated by the DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation). The MSDC drone training program has gained approval from the DGCA to fulfill India's rising need for certified drone pilots. The Drone Pilot training program covers drone construction knowledge of flight safety procedures and equipment maintenance. Participants obtain experience with multiple drone varieties and conduct simulation-based flight instruction before undergoing actual flying practice sessions.

MSDC also extends its capabilities from drone education to automotive skills, industrial automation skills, and AI implementation. It further delivers industrial robotic programs like 2D path following, box palletizing, and smart manufacturing systems. Businesses adopt automated systems because these skills prove essential for industrial success. Workplaces are integrating robotics and automation elements into industrial operations so professionals who understand robotic process automation create new career opportunities.

Affordable Training Programs

The high expense of training acts as a major barrier against skill development since many potential learners face affordability challenges. MSDC offers affordable training programs to provide students with access to skill-based education. Many candidates are unaware of career opportunities in emerging industries, which hinders their ability to find suitable employment. The organizational approach of MSDC includes active engagements with industry partners and educational institutions to demonstrate up-skilling importance and present suitable high-growth career paths to students. They not only train students but also provide placement services, connecting graduates with top industries to start their careers. “We hosted a Job Fair at MSDC where graduates from other universities also participated. Out of 800 attended, 330 people got selected by leading industries,” says Dr Surjit Pabla, Chairman, MSDC.

The changing market demands reveal an increasing difference between what traditional colleges teach versus what companies need from their prospective employees. Newly graduated people struggle to obtain positions in modern high-tech fields due to their lack of essential practical skills. MSDC connects academic subjects to modern industry practices through its training programs which follow emerging trends in the market. Students succeed in future skills through MSDC's curriculum-based implementation of emerging technologies because the school maintains ongoing connections with industrial leadership. The national emphasis on technological independence and digital progress anticipate that skilled professionals will become increasingly necessary for India. “We have classrooms in each workshop. Our students spend 80 percent of their academic period on machinery, ensuring they are industry-ready before they graduate,” adds Dr Surjit.

Going forward, the skill development growth in India will rest on institutions that focus on preparing people for new job market necessities. The various skill development sectors at MSDC position the institution as a central force that creates the workforce needs of tomorrow. Students benefit from practical education and industry certification at MSDC because this system equips them to find lasting career success in their declared career paths. The country requires more institutions for technical education and skill development to ensure the growth of the industrial sector of India.