In an era where technology in manufacturing is evolving faster than ever, one persistent challenge remains—the growing gap between advanced machinery and the availability of skilled professionals who can operate it. Recognising this disconnect early on, Rakshit Kejriwal, President of Phillips Education, took the lead in reimagining workforce development for the manufacturing sector. A strategic extension of Phillips Machine Tools, Phillips Education was launched with a clear mission: to create a future-ready workforce equipped to meet the demands of modern industry. In this conversation with Sanjay Jadhav, Editor at Machine Edge Global, Kejriwal shares insights into the vision behind Phillips Education, its hands-on, industry-driven training model, and the organisation’s role in empowering youth—especially from underserved regions—to thrive in high-growth sectors like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and precision manufacturing.
Phillips Education identified the skills gap in manufacturing early on. What inspired you to take on this challenge?
As part of the Phillips group, our company, Phillips Machine Tools, has long provided advanced manufacturing technologies. In our work with industries across sectors, we observed that even when companies invested in high-end equipment such as CNC machines, 5-axis systems, and 3D printers, there is still a shortage of industry-ready professionals who can operate and optimise these machines. This issue was not limited to India. We encountered similar skill gaps in global markets, including the United States and the Middle East, and we saw the same within our own organisation.
To support the goals of the Make in India initiative, it is essential not only to manufacture advanced machine tools, which PMT continues to do but also to develop a skilled workforce capable of operating them effectively. We realised that simply providing machines is insufficient if the talent to run them is missing.
This insight prompted the establishment of Phillips Education, which is specifically designed to address the disconnect between traditional educational systems and the rapidly evolving demands of the manufacturing sector. Academic institutions often face structural limitations and may struggle to keep pace with rapid technological change. Phillips Education was established to bridge this gap by aligning skill development programs with real world industry needs. Our broader goal is to help build a future-ready workforce that can contribute meaningfully to India’s self-reliant manufacturing economy, while also supporting similar workforce development efforts in international markets.
How does Phillips Education’s model differ from traditional vocational training programs?
Traditional vocational programs often struggle to keep pace with the evolving landscape of manufacturing technologies. Many institutions continue to depend on courses that is heavily focused on classroom learning and outdated infrastructure, limiting their ability to prepare students for real-world roles in the modern manufacturing sector.
Phillips Education was established to address this gap through a comprehensive and industry-focused training approach. Our curriculum is centred on hands-on learning, using the same machines and software deployed in advanced manufacturing facilities. Students are trained on platforms such as SolidWorks, Mastercam, and AutoCAD, essential for product design and process programming.
What distinguishes our model is its structure. We oversee the entire skilling journey from student mobilisation and curriculum development to training delivery, certification, and placement support. In several programs, we also manage accommodation and daily logistics, ensuring accessibility for learners from diverse backgrounds.
Our curriculum is developed in close collaboration with industry partners and is regularly updated to include emerging technologies such as automation, robotics, and applications of artificial intelligence. The training supports multiple career entry levels, from machine operators to programming and maintenance roles.
One example is our Centre of Excellence in Uttarakhand, where we trained a group of students and achieved 100% placement. Many of these students came from families with no formal employment background and are now contributing as skilled professionals in high-growth sectors such as renewable energy and automotive manufacturing. Their success demonstrates how targeted, practical skilling can create pathways to meaningful employment.
From the outset, learners are introduced to clearly defined skill sets that align with employer expectations. We also incorporate soft skills training and interview preparation to ensure a smooth transition into the workforce.
Our objective is not only to meet today’s skilling needs but to build a resilient and future-ready workforce that can drive growth in India’s manufacturing sector and contribute to the global industrial economy.
As India aims for a $7 trillion economy by 2030, how crucial is a skilled workforce for this vision?
A skilled workforce is the backbone of any major economic transformation. For India to become a $7 trillion economy by 2030, investing in human capital will be essential. Sectors such as advanced manufacturing, electric mobility, defence production, and semiconductor fabrication are crucial to the nation’s growth objectives. Each of these requires technically trained professionals capable of adapting to rapidly evolving technologies.
India is at a pivotal stage in its development journey. We have the demographic advantage of a young population, with nearly 65 percent under the age of 35, but to fully realise that potential, it is essential to equip this generation with skills directly relevant to the industry. The demand for skilled professionals, especially in manufacturing and emerging sectors like automation and clean energy, already exceeds the available supply. According to the National Skill Development Corporation, India will require an additional 100 million skilled workers by 2030 to meet the demands of high-growth sectors.
Bridging this gap must be a national priority. A strong and responsive skilling ecosystem is critical to translating initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat into tangible economic outcomes. This includes practical training, a curriculum aligned with industry needs, and sustained placement efforts.
Our own experience reflects this: in Uttarakhand, we trained a group of students and achieved 100% placement in manufacturing roles.
In the years ahead, countries that prioritise workforce development will lead in innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. India has both the opportunity and the talent to lead. Ensuring our workforce is future-ready will be one of the defining factors in turning this vision into a lasting reality.
How do you ensure that your curriculum stays aligned with industry needs and technological advancements?
Manufacturing technology is constantly changing, and traditional curricula often struggle to keep pace. At Phillips Education, we look at curriculum development as an ongoing process. The machines, software, and systems being used on the shop floor today are very different from what they were just a few years ago. To stay relevant, our training content must evolve in step with those changes.
We stay closely connected with manufacturers, OEMs, and technical experts who are working on the ground. These interactions help us stay ahead of emerging trends and understand which skills are gaining prominence and which technologies are gaining traction. Our programs already cover areas like CNC machining, additive manufacturing, robotics, and automation with AI integration and we continue to update these modules as new developments arise.
We actively incorporate feedback from employers who hire our graduates, which helps us improve not just the technical content, but also how we prepare students for real-world work environments. Their input plays an important role in shaping the curriculum. In some cases, companies have approached us with very specific training needs. One example is a renewable energy firm we partnered with to create a program tailored to their operations, through which we trained and deployed more than 300 technicians.
Hands-on learning remains a core part of our model. Students train on the same machines and software they will encounter in the workplace, ensuring they are confident and job-ready from day one.
Our focus is on being practical and in tune with what the industry actually needs. Staying current is not only an integral component of our operations but is also a fundamental obligation to both our learners and employers.
Many companies are now launching in-house skilling programs. How does Phillips Education collaborate with industries to provide relevant training?
The growing interest in in-house skilling programs is a welcome development. It reflects the increasing priority that industries are placing on building a capable and future-ready workforce. At Phillips Education, we view ourselves as a strategic collaborator in this journey, bringing in technical expertise, infrastructure, and execution capabilities that many organisations may not have readily available.
Our partnerships typically begin with a thorough needs assessment. We work closely with industry partners to understand their processes, identify skill gaps, and define specific training outcomes. Based on these inputs, we design tailored programs that are aligned with real-time industry requirements and relevant technologies.
We also offer access to our Centers of Excellence, which are equipped with advanced manufacturing machinery, certified trainers, and software platforms used in industrial settings. Our collaborations span several sectors including renewable energy, aerospace, electric vehicles, and precision manufacturing. One example is our work with a leading renewable energy company, where we trained more than 300 technicians in the deployment and maintenance of wind and solar installations.
In addition to technical training, we provide support across the entire value chain. This includes candidate mobilisation, delivery of soft skills training, skill assessments, and placement assistance. Our goal is to ensure that industries receive not just technically trained individuals, but job-ready professionals who can contribute effectively from the outset.
By working alongside companies, we are able to complement their internal skilling initiatives and help them scale with consistency and quality. Every program we offer is designed to meet real operational requirements, ensuring measurable outcomes for our partners.
Are there specific regions or sectors where you see the highest demand for skilled manufacturing professionals?
There is a strong and growing demand for skilled manufacturing professionals in several key regions and sectors that are shaping India’s industrial development. States such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana stand out due to their well-established manufacturing ecosystems. These regions are home to industries spanning automotive, aerospace, defence, and electronics, all of which require a steady pipeline of trained talent.
In addition, states like Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttarakhand are showing increasing potential. While not traditionally seen as industrial hubs, they have a large base of ITI and polytechnic students who are eager to enter the workforce.
Sector-wise, there is notable momentum in electric vehicles, renewable energy, aerospace, and defence manufacturing. Government-backed initiatives to boost domestic capacity in these sectors have intensified the demand for specialised technical skills. Looking forward, the expected growth in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing will significantly increase the demand for precision engineering skills.
At Phillips Education, our focus is on aligning training programs with these regional and sectoral demands, ensuring that students, regardless of geography, have access to high-quality, industry relevant skill development opportunities.
Your programs have helped students from underprivileged backgrounds secure well-paying jobs. How do you ensure accessibility and inclusivity?
Accessibility and inclusivity have always been central to our approach to skill development at Phillips Education. A significant number of students who benefit most from our programs come from underprivileged or rural backgrounds. We train students who have never worked with advanced machines or received formal instruction, and they often exceed expectations once they’re given the chance.
To remove financial barriers, we work closely with state governments and industry partners to fully subsidise the training. Students do not pay any fees, and in many cases, we also provide meals, accommodation, and other essential support. This allows students to focus entirely on their training without worrying about their day-to-day needs.
We also utilise technology to broaden access and improve flexibility. Our Phillips Machinist app is one such effort. It gives students access to foundational manufacturing concepts through mobile-friendly, self-paced modules. This is particularly useful in regions where physical access to training centres or industry-grade equipment is limited. Our VR-based tools and blended learning models enable students in remote or semi-urban areas to gain practical experience in CNC machining, automation, and AI-integrated manufacturing systems.
Alongside technical skills, we integrate soft skills and interview preparation into the program. This is particularly helpful for first-generation professionals, students who may be entering the formal workforce for the first time.
For us, inclusivity is not a separate effort. It is something that is built into every part of the program, from the way it is designed to how it is delivered. If we want to build a strong manufacturing workforce, it must start with ensuring that everyone has access to quality training, no matter their background.
What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in education and workforce development?
To make a meaningful impact in education and workforce development, especially in manufacturing, it is important to first understand how the sector has evolved. Today, manufacturing is driven by automation, robotics, precision engineering, and digital technologies that power everything from electric vehicles to medical devices.
While many young professionals tend to gravitate toward sectors like software, finance, or consulting, manufacturing offers something equally dynamic and deeply rewarding. It presents the opportunity to solve complex challenges, work with advanced technologies, and contribute directly to building India’s industrial base. This includes not only engineers and machine operators but also educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers who shape how skills are developed and delivered.
For those interested in the education side of manufacturing, staying connected with the industry is critical. The real impact comes from aligning what is taught with what is required on the shop floor. That means listening to students, trainers, and employers, being open to feedback, and adapting continuously.
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of nation-building. From satellites to electric vehicles and life-saving ventilators, the journey starts with skilled professionals who transform innovative ideas into reality. For those aspiring to create a lasting economic and social impact, this field offers one of the most profound avenues for a fulfilling career.