Four Million Civil Engineers, Architects
and Planners By 2020
Built environment, comprising construction and
real estate related activities, is one of the major contributors to the Indian
economy, accounting for approximately 17 % of GDP. While Real estate sector
projects a demand of 95 billion square feet by 2020, shortage of required
manpower continues to be the main cause of worry. As on date, Engineering continues
to dominate as a preferred discipline with about 3400 engineering colleges in
India with a capacity of about 15 Lakh seats across 36 courses approved by the
All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). As per the recent research
study taken up by RICS, the annual average
demand of Civil Engineers, Architects and Planners together in the Built
Environment during 2010-2020 shall be a staggering four million.
Though India poses inadequate infrastructure,
lack of transparency, lack of Governance as major obstacles, these can be
overcome by introducing right policies and right strategies. Mammoth pool of
talent that is available at this point in time and the domestic market driven
by emerging middle class make India the most preferred and favoured Investment
destination for FDI among the developing markets in the world. India now finds itself
on an upward trajectory of growth cycle and with its proven resilience to
counter economic challenges, sure to surge ahead. As a contrary phenomenon, a
simple demand-supply analysis shows that against the demand of 127500 quality Civil
engineers per annum, only 26500 competent Civil Engineers are available. Sustained
period of shortfall in annual supply, coupled with an increasing year on year
demand, could result in a cumulative demand of nearly 45 million core
professionals, over 2010-20- as per the report.
Consequently, we also find placements dipping
as IT firms shrink their offers and majority graduates turning their attention
to Realty and Auto Sectors. It is time for the construction Industry to
leverage this situation and channalise the youth power by providing them
necessary vocational training and bring them on the main stream. Reports also
indicate that India is poised to grow extensively in the fields of Sustainable
Engineering.
Ajit
Sabnis
Editor-in-Chief.
