The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme has become fundamental in strengthening India's manufacturing industry and creating substantial job prospects. With an investment of ₹1.97 lakh crore in 14 sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and large-scale electronics manufacturing, it has drawn in ₹1.23 lakh crore from private investors among 755 successful applicants, as per Ramesh Alluri Reddy, Chief Executive Officer, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship. 

As of June 2024, this initiative has generated 5.84 lakh direct jobs, reaching around 36% of its ambitious goal of 16.2 lakh jobs within a five-year period. Significantly, the mobile manufacturing industry has established standards, generating more than 1.22 lakh jobs and solidifying India as a favored location for international tech leaders such as Apple, which has utilized collaborations with Foxconn to boost production capabilities.

In a similar fashion, the food processing industry has demonstrated significant advancement, creating 2.45 lakh jobs in the three years of the scheme's six-year duration. Although these accomplishments highlight the program's capacity to fill gaps in manufacturing ecosystems and enhance global competitiveness, some industries, such as advanced chemical cell (ACC) batteries and textiles, have encountered slower advancement, requiring strategic modifications to fulfill their potential.

In this rapid growth, the need for qualified workers has peaked, rendering skill development a critical necessity to maintain this momentum. India's apprenticeship framework creates a transformative route to tackle this issue, serving as an essential link between educational knowledge and market requirements.