GCCs drive surge in India's reskilling market, attracting international interest
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India's reskilling market is witnessing accelerated growth, driven by the rapid expansion of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) across the country.As demand for advanced digital and technical skills rises due to the emergence of GCCs, international players are increasingly focusing on Indian professional markets, top executives in reskilling and experts said, adding that investing in reskilling programmes has become a central part of the strategies of many global firms to keep their Indian teams skilled to global standards.GCCs, also known as Global In-house Centres (GICs) or Captive Centres, are fully owned and integrated hubs established by multinational corporations in talent-rich locations to build value and intellectual property.They leverage global talent pools and technological advancements to enhance organisational capabilities and drive business transformation.Observing the emerging trends, Amit Goyal, Managing Director, South Asia, Project Management Institute (PMI), which is a global non-profit professional membership association, said, "In today's dynamic business environment, organisations are increasingly prioritising internal competencies through well-structured 'study-at-work' and upskilling initiatives . This marks a clear shift from the earlier "individual-driven" learning model to a more strategic, "organisation-led" approach."Goyal added that corporates are recognising that investing in employee development is not just a retention strategy but a competitive advantage."Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are playing a pivotal role in this transformation. Many are actively sponsoring learning programmes to ensure their workforce is equipped with the critical skills required to stay relevant and drive innovation," PMI's South Asia Director added.Goyal said that most GCCs prefer having globally accredited certifications, as these help them establish benchmarks and compare their internal capabilities with global best practices.Smitha Hemmigae, Managing Director, ANSR, highlighted that every GCC today recognises that upskilling, L&D, and well-defined career pathing are no longer "good to have" but a true differentiator for attracting and retaining top talent."Unlike traditional delivery roles, GCC careers are increasingly positioned as leadership tracks, where employees can see a clear pathway to senior, global, and cross-functional positions," said the MD of ANSR which specialises in helping businesses build and manage Global Capability Centres (GCCs).Citing the vast demand for reskilling activities, executives highlight that, among many reasons, the nascent stage of skilling is one of the key factors driving the emerging demand for reskilling programmes in Indian corporates.A report titled "Skills for the Future: Transforming India's Workforce Landscape", developed by the Institute for Competitiveness, pointed out that data analysis based on PLFS shows that in 2023-24, 88 per cent of India's workforce is in low-competency occupations, while only 10-12 per cent are in high-competency roles.Using PLFS (2023-24) data, five sectors which accounted for over 66 per cent of vocational training in India were identified. These sectors are IT and ITeS, Textile and Apparel, Electronics, Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Beauty and Wellness.The report added that industries need to be incentivised to recruit from a skill-certified talent pool and take accountability for creating market-aligned training, besides offering them higher wages.Gaurav Makhijani, Head of Tax (North India and Gujarat) at Roedl and Partner India, who closely works with foreign companies, also supported the trend, adding that many GCCs are partnering with universities and skilling platforms to ensure their India teams are ready for the future."In my experience, the view of India as only a low-cost destination is changing quickly, especially for GCCs. While cost advantage still matters, most established companies now see India as a strategic talent hub. From the start, they are including plans for long-term upskilling, leadership development, and innovation in their India strategy. The aim is to build strong expertise, R&D capabilities, and end-to-end operational support," Makhijadded.GCCs are set to contribute 2 per cent of India's GDP and generate 2.8 million jobs by 2030, and are emerging as a key growth and employment generator, according to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).With over 1700 GCCs in 2023-24, which is expected to rise to over 2200 by 2030, India has become the prominent destination for the MNCs to set up their centres.In Financial Year 2024, GCCs generated approximately $64.6 billion in export revenue: a 40 per cent increase from $46 billion in FY23.The growth of GCCs in India is most prominent in Tier-1 cities, with Bengaluru leading the pack with 487 centres (29 per cent of India's total). Hyderabad follows closely with 273 GCCs (16 per cent), while the NCR region hosts 272 centres. Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai are also contributing significantly.
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