A recent National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) study highlighted a glaring mismatch in India’s talent landscape. The demand for skilled workers is staggering at 103 million, but the supply falls short by 29 million. This gap is further widened by rapidly evolving technologies and economic sectors like AI, healthcare, green jobs, and semiconductor manufacturing, which demand specialized expertise.
In a nation brimming with potential, this imbalance poses a critical question: How can we equip the workforce with the skills necessary for the jobs of tomorrow?
Enter Rajesh Bharatiya – founder of Peoplefy, a recruitment firm founded in 2006 to help match industry talent needs for the market. An industry veteran, Rajesh has seen numerous strides in the human resources industry, and this need for skill development has had him contemplating.
“Skilling is not just an operational necessity; it’s a transformative force for India’s economy,” says Rajesh Bharatiya, Founder of Peoplefy. “At Peoplefy, our aim has always been to align the right talent with the right opportunities, enabling businesses to thrive and individuals to grow.”
Recently, the economic profile of the country has shifted tectonic grounds. Conventional roles in conventional areas are now being supplemented by niche roles that expect the application of cutting-edge skills. Such industries range from waste management, drone technologies, and circular economy practices to even food processing. However, not all of them have adequate skilled forces. Therefore businesses need to catch up in the talent pursuit.
According to Rajesh Bharatiya, adaptability is very important.
“As the industries evolve, so do the requirements of the workforce,” he says. “Our role at Peoplefy is to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring we understand these changes and are equipped to support both clients and candidates in navigating them.”
“Our ATS lets us work in a perfectly integrated, smooth manner when managing an entire recruitment process- and give the client faster hiring solutions,“ explains Rajesh Bharatiya.
Peoplefy stands out in this crowded recruitment landscape with engineering-driven recruitment processes, a deep understanding of market dynamics, and a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology. The firm specializes in the niche sectors of automotive, technology, banking, and GCCs (Global Capability Centers) and, hence, has crème de la crème clients such as VOIS (Vodafone’s Global Tech Center), Gap Inc., and Michelin GCC.
Peoplefy understands that niche technological skills have gained popularity and invests massively into upskilling their recruitment teams. Such training includes AI, machine learning, blockchain, and analytics in more advanced data analysis. This keeps the recruiters up to date with the latest industry trends.
Apart from skilling challenges, India also faces societal bias towards certain types of work. The educated youth are seen to prefer white-collar jobs over blue-collar roles, thus resulting in widespread unemployment or underemployment.
Rajesh Bharatiya feels that this mentality needs to change. “We need to redefine what success looks like. Skilling initiatives must focus on technical expertise and creating a cultural shift that values all types of work.”
With India on the cusp of an economic transformation, companies like Peoplefy are bridging the talent gap. In the future, Peoplefy aims to expand into emerging markets and IT services, which could have a larger impact on the industry’s changing needs.
“Talent acquisition is no longer just about filling roles; it’s about building futures — for individuals, organizations, and the nation,” concludes Rajesh Bharatiya. “We’re proud to be part of this journey and are committed to shaping the workforce of tomorrow.”
