Sumit Kumar, Chief Business Officer, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship highlights that the healthcare sector is currently undergoing a transformative shift in skill development to meet the evolving demands of the industry. Countries, particularly India, are making significant investments in healthcare workforce development programmes, focusing on digital health skills, patient care, and specialised medical expertise
The winds of change are blowing fiercely through the modern workforce, dramatically altering the landscape. Employees at all levels face a stark reality: evolve or get left behind. The data underscores the urgency for action: there are 9 million people employed in the sector, the World Economic Forum predicts 50 per cent of workers will require new skill sets by 2025 just to remain relevant. This is not merely an issue of job security but also of career advancement and earnings potential. After all, skilled workers wield a 34 per cent lower likelihood of unemployment while enjoying a 12 per cent boost in productivity, according to McKinsey research. The benefits also flow to one’s paycheck. For each additional year of education, the OECD finds a 10 per cent spike in individual earnings on average. In today’s climate, skill acquisition is no longer just a box to check, but a strategic investment in one’s personal and professional success. Whether it’s unlearning obsolete abilities or learning new ones, individuals must become active partners in their own lifelong learning journey. The skills gap is accelerating at breakneck speed, and upskilling presents the best bridge to the jobs of tomorrow.
The current healthcare ecosystem and skilling
The healthcare sector is currently undergoing a transformative shift in skill development to meet the evolving demands of the industry. Countries, particularly India, are making significant investments in healthcare workforce development programmes, focusing on digital health skills, patient care, and specialised medical expertise.
The drivers for skilling initiatives in the healthcare sector are multifaceted, reflecting the evolving landscape and demands of the industry. First and foremost, the ambitious infrastructure expansion goals of India, aiming to add 3 million beds by 2025, underscore the critical need for a substantial increase in skilled healthcare personnel. This expansion necessitates a workforce equipped with the necessary expertise to manage and cater to the growing healthcare infrastructure.
Additionally, the healthcare sector grapples with a significant workforce shortage, compelling the industry to address the increasing demand for medical professionals. To meet this challenge head-on, an additional requirement of 1.54 million doctors and 2.4 million nurses is crucial. This shortage highlights the imperative to invest in skill development programmes that can efficiently bridge the gap and fulfil the escalating demand for healthcare professionals.
Government initiatives play a pivotal role in driving skilling programmes, with flagship programmes like Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) expanding across the nation. These initiatives not only create demand in major cities but also extend to tier 2 and tier 3 cities as well as villages. The geographical inclusivity of these programmes is instrumental in ensuring that healthcare services are accessible and available across diverse regions, contributing to the overall enhancement of the healthcare landscape.
The burgeoning growth of medical tourism further accentuates the need for a highly skilled healthcare workforce. As India becomes a preferred destination for medical treatments, the demand for trained professionals in nursing and paramedical fields intensifies. This trend amplifies the importance of skilling initiatives to equip healthcare professionals with the expertise required to cater to the specific needs and expectations of medical tourists.
Also, the intersection of healthcare and technology is redefining the job roles of the current medical and healthcare professionals. Generative AI is being used for predictive healthcare and research. There has been a massive adoption of robotics in surgeries, injectable and repetitive tasks like drug dispensing. Post pandemic, there has also been a rise of remote healthcare through telemedicine.
Looking ahead, India has set ambitious targets for personnel requirements in the healthcare sector. By 2034, the nation aims to achieve a ratio of at least 2.5 doctors and 5 nurses per 1,000 people. This projection underscores the long-term commitment to building a robust healthcare workforce to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population. In summary, the drivers for skilling initiatives in the healthcare sector are diverse, ranging from infrastructure expansion goals and workforce shortages to government initiatives, medical tourism growth, and ambitious personnel requirements. Addressing these drivers through effective skilling programmes is essential to fortifying the healthcare sector and ensuring quality healthcare services for the nation.
Apprenticeships: Route for skilling healthcare professionals
Apprenticeships play a pivotal role in addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare sector. Offering a structured route for skilling and career advancement, healthcare apprenticeships provide a hands-on learning experience by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application.
Healthcare apprenticeships offer hands-on learning, providing a structured pathway for individuals to acquire essential skills. For instance, the Medical Assistant Apprentice undergoes on-the-job training in patient care, medical office administration, and basic clinical procedures. Similarly, the nursing assistant apprentice gains practical experience in patient care and vital sign monitoring under the guidance of experienced professionals. Health Information Management Apprenticeships focus on managing patient information and coding, while Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeships equip individuals with skills for assisting pharmacists and accurate dispensing. These apprenticeships prepare individuals for diverse and essential roles in the healthcare sector.
Upon completion, apprentices often transition into full-time roles, contributing to the workforce and addressing the skill gap in the healthcare domain. As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise, apprenticeships serve as a dynamic solution for building a skilled workforce and ensuring the quality delivery of healthcare services.
Diversity in the healthcare workforce through apprenticeships
An aspect that requires immediate consideration is the potential of skilling to elevate the female labour participation rate in the healthcare sector. Apprenticeships present a strategic avenue to bolster female participation, offering a structured pathway for skill development that aligns seamlessly with the accommodating nature of the healthcare industry for women.
By channelling efforts into apprenticeship programmes tailored to healthcare roles, women can acquire specialised skills and practical experience, bridging the existing gender gap in the industry. These apprenticeships provide a hands-on approach, allowing female participants to gain confidence and expertise in various healthcare domains. As they progress through structured training, apprentices not only contribute to addressing the skills shortage but also empower women to play more significant roles in healthcare. This focused initiative holds the potential to not only elevate the female labour participation rate but also foster a diverse and skilled healthcare workforce.
Parting take
The healthcare sector’s evolution necessitates a focus on skill development and apprenticeships to meet the industry’s growing demands. By investing in skilling initiatives and embracing apprenticeship programmes, the healthcare workforce can stay abreast of technological advancements, ensure a diverse and skilled talent pool, and ultimately deliver high-quality healthcare services to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.
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