Employer intent to hire women apprentices outpaces graduate employability levels

Dr Nipun Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, examines sector wise demand across renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, IT, healthcare, BFSI and retail

India’s apprenticeship landscape is entering a critical phase of gender participation, with employer appetite for female apprentices rising faster than graduate employability metrics.
According to industry outlook indicators referenced by Dr Nipun Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, 44 percent of employers plan to increase women apprentices. However, only 34 to 37 percent of graduating women are currently assessed as employable, pointing to a widening readiness gap.

Renewable energy leads employer intent, with 64 percent planning to increase female participation. Roles include solar installation technicians, project coordinators, energy auditors, operations analysts and ESG reporting professionals. Skill requirements range from electrical fundamentals and safety compliance to data analysis and sustainability reporting.
Semiconductor manufacturing follows with 61 percent of employers seeking higher female engagement. With women representing roughly 14 to 16 percent of STEM roles, companies are building structured pathways into fabrication, cleanroom operations, equipment maintenance and quality control. Electronics fundamentals, automation systems and precision process adherence remain central competencies.

IT and BPM recorded the highest Net Apprenticeship Outlook at 88 percent. Women account for approximately 36 percent of the sector’s workforce. Demand is concentrated in software testing, data operations, cybersecurity monitoring, application support and cloud operations. Digital literacy, coding foundations and automation tools are key enablers.
Healthcare and allied services show comparatively higher female employability at 55 to 60 percent, with nearly 49 percent of employers planning increased hiring. Roles include medical laboratory technicians, healthcare administrators, pharmacy assistants and clinical data coordinators. Training environments benefit from structured clinical protocols and digital health systems.

Leather, textiles and apparel reported 58 percent employer intent to increase female participation. As these industries formalise operations, demand is growing for quality inspectors, merchandising coordinators, supply chain assistants and compliance executives. Skills in lean manufacturing, inventory systems and export standards are increasingly required.
Banking, Financial Services and Insurance recorded an 84 percent Net Apprenticeship Outlook. Female employability stands at around 40 percent. Demand spans operations executives, compliance analysts, risk support professionals and digital banking associates, with emphasis on financial literacy, regulatory understanding and data handling.

Retail and sales, with a 78 percent Net Apprenticeship Outlook, remains a high volume entry point into formal employment. Store operations, customer experience, merchandising and e commerce support roles continue to expand, supported by digital POS systems and omnichannel operations.
Dr Nipun Sharma noted that sectors characterised by technology intensity and structured training environments are leading female apprenticeship demand. He added that eliminating the gender gap in workforce participation could raise India’s GDP by 27 percent, underscoring the economic implications of converting apprenticeship intent into sustained employment.

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