Skills Before Startups:
In the dynamic landscape of modern India, the electronics sector is no longer just a vertical industry; it has become the horizontal foundation upon which our digital future is built. As we move deeper into the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the traditional boundaries between an employee and an entrepreneur are blurring. At the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI), we witness this transformation every day. We see young individuals who started with a soldering iron or a basic coding module and went on to build repair service networks, drone startups, and indigenous hardware brands. The core catalyst in this journey is not just financial capital, but technical skill.
The prevailing narrative often suggests that entrepreneurship is purely a byproduct of business acumen or risk-taking appetite. While those traits are undeniably important, in the technology sector, entrepreneurship is fundamentally an act of solving a technical problem. When a person masters the nuances of a semiconductor value chain or the intricacies of an Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, they gain the “technical confidence” required to identify gaps in the market. This confidence is the bedrock of the entrepreneurial spirit.
The Power of Technical Confidence
Technical skills provide a unique kind of clarity. A person trained in the assembly and testing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) does not just see a piece of hardware; they see a modular system with possibilities for optimization. This deep understanding allows them to move from being a consumer of technology to a creator of solutions. In our experience at ESSCI, we have found that once the fear of the “black box” of technology is removed through rigorous training, the mind naturally shifts toward innovation.
Consider the burgeoning drone industry in India. Through our specialized training programs for Drone Manufacturing and Assembling Technicians, we are not just producing workforce for large factories. We are empowering individuals to understand drone flight controllers, sensor integration, and power management. Armed with this knowledge, a technician in a rural area can become a local entrepreneur providing drone based services for precision agriculture, crop monitoring, or infrastructure inspection. This is a classic example of how a high tech skill creates a micro-entrepreneur who serves a local need while contributing to the national economy.
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and the Shop Floor
Union Budget 2026–27 has been a defining moment for our sector. With a massive 62 percent increase in the outlay for skilling and the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, the government has signaled its ambition to make India a global powerhouse in electronics. From the perspective of ESSCI, this is more than just a financial allocation; it is a mandate to create a future ready workforce that can lead the next phase of innovation.
Programs like Samarth 2.0 are designed to equip workers with contemporary manufacturing and design skills, supporting productivity gains and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. However, the real success of these initiatives lies in their ability to foster “enterprise.” When we align our National Occupational Standards and curricula with next generation manufacturing, we are giving our youth the tools to compete globally. A student who masters VLSI design or advanced packaging today is a potential founder of a fabless semiconductor startup tomorrow.
From Repair Technicians to Service Network Owners
One of the most immediate paths to entrepreneurship through technical skills is in the domain of repair and maintenance. The “Right to Repair” movement and the sheer volume of consumer electronics in India have created a massive demand for skilled diagnostics and repair. ESSCI has been instrumental in upskilling thousands of electricians and electronics retail youth through partnerships like the “Crompton Project Samruddhi” and the “Samsung DOST” initiative.
While these programs significantly enhance employability, they also plant the seeds of entrepreneurship. A certified technician who understands the latest electrical best practices and smart home technologies often graduates from being a freelance worker to owning a service center. They eventually hire two or three more people, thereby transitioning from a job seeker to a job creator. This “micro-entrepreneurship” model is vital for sustaining livelihoods in semi-urban and rural India.
The Digital Edge: AI, IoT, and Big Data
The modern entrepreneur cannot afford to be technologically illiterate. To address this, ESSCI has introduced “Future Skills” courses in higher education institutions, covering AI Embedded Product Development, Essentials of IoT, and Big Data. These skills are the building blocks of the digital economy.
An entrepreneur who understands how to harness AI for predictive maintenance or how to use Big Data to analyze consumer trends has a significant competitive advantage. For instance, in our collaboration with the Samsung Innovation Campus, we have trained over 3,000 candidates in these emerging critical domains. Many of these trainees are now exploring how to integrate these technologies into traditional sectors like healthcare and logistics, effectively creating “tech-enabled” startups that were previously unimaginable.
Sustainability and Green Energy Entrepreneurship
The shift toward a green economy is another fertile ground for tech-led entrepreneurship. Our efforts in the solar energy sector, particularly through programs for Solar Panel Installation Technicians, have shown remarkable results. Solar energy is decentralized by nature, which makes it a perfect sector for local entrepreneurs.
A youth trained by ESSCI in solar LED technology or battery system assembly is uniquely positioned to start a solar consultancy or a maintenance firm. As India scales its electric vehicle (EV) and battery capabilities through 2030, the demand for such technical expertise will only grow. By providing NSQF-aligned qualifications in battery assembly and EV diagnostics, we are preparing a new generation of “green entrepreneurs” who will drive India toward its net zero goals.
Building a Collaborative Ecosystem
The journey from skilling to entrepreneurship does not happen in a vacuum. It requires a robust ecosystem of industry partners, academic institutions, and government bodies. At ESSCI, we take pride in our role as a bridge between these stakeholders. Our partnerships with leaders like Marvell Semiconductors and ABB are focused on building future ready labs and training centers that replicate real world industry scenarios.
Furthermore, our participation in global platforms like the Bengaluru Tech Summit allows us to connect our innovators with investors and markets. This exposure is crucial for any aspiring entrepreneur. It teaches them that technical skill is the “what” of their business, but networking and market alignment are the “how.”
The Road Ahead: Viksit Bharat 2047
As we look toward the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, the role of technical skills in creating a nation of entrepreneurs cannot be overstated. We are no longer content with being the “back office” of the world. We want to be the design house, the fabrication hub, and the innovation center.
At ESSCI, our commitment is to ensure that every youth who walks through our training centers leaves with more than just a certificate. We want them to leave with a sense of agency. Whether they choose to work for a multinational or start their own venture in a garage, their technical skills will be their greatest asset.
Entrepreneurship is often described as jumping off a cliff and building a plane on the way down. Technical skills provide the blueprints for that plane. They ensure that the leap is not a gamble, but a calculated step toward a sustainable and successful future. By investing in skills, we are not just building a workforce; we are building the economic foundations of a self-reliant India.
