Pune: PCMC collaborates with Lighthouse to host conclave on Skilling Youth in Future Technologies
Pimpri, 24th July 2025: In an initiative to prepare youth for careers in emerging technologies, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), in collaboration with Lighthouse Communities Foundation and Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), hosted an Industry Conclave on Skilling Opportunities in Future Technologies at Ga Di Madgulkar Natyagruha, Nigdi on Wednesday.
The event focused on co-creating pathways for skilling youth in cutting-edge domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Drone Technology, and Defence Tech, with the objective of bridging the demand-supply gap through strategic partnerships and targeted capacity-building.
PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh, in his keynote address, emphasized the urgent need for structured vocational skilling. “A recent youth survey has highlighted the pressing need to strengthen vocational and technical training among our young population. We are committed to building inclusive skilling ecosystems that connect youth with future-ready careers in areas like AI, drone technology, and cybersecurity. Through strategic collaborations and focused action, we aim to empower every young individual with the skills and confidence to thrive in a fast-changing world,” he said.
Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Founder and Chairman of Lighthouse Communities Foundation, highlighted the evolving skilling landscape: “India will need 1.25 million AI professionals by 2027, over 100,000 certified drone operators annually, and nearly one million cybersecurity experts. While automation may impact some roles, new opportunities such as data annotation and drone piloting are opening doors even for 10th-pass youth. The key lies in inclusive and industry-aligned skilling.”
The event was anchored by Deepika Kedia, Director – Lighthouse Program, and began with the introduction and felicitation of dignitaries. Amruta Bahulekar, Chief Program Officer, Lighthouse Communities Foundation, laid out the organizational vision and underscored the need for public-private synergy in youth development.
Also present were Ruchi Mathur, Chairperson and Co-founder, and Anuja Kishore, CEO of Lighthouse Communities Foundation, reaffirming the Foundation’s mission to ensure that no youth is left behind in India’s digital transformation. PCMC Deputy Commissioner (Social Development Department) Mamata Shinde also attended, highlighting institutional support for youth-centric programs within PCMC.
The conclave featured strategic inputs from industry experts, including Anirban Mukherji (CEO, miniOrange Inc), Prithjit Bobby Lahiri (Head – Apprenticeship, CII MCC), and Rumpa Roy (Lead, Skill at Scale – NASSCOM SSC). All speakers stressed the importance of curiosity-driven learning, self-paced upskilling, and accessible entry-level roles in AI and drone technology.
A panel discussion on “Emerging Job Opportunities and Skill Needs in the Context of Youth”, moderated by Bahulekar, brought together voices from academia and industry: Anup Tabe (Founder, MANAS and Co), Dr. Vishal Wadajkar (Dean, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dnyan Prasad University), Aditya Wadhokar (MD, FLIGEN Systems Pvt Ltd), and Rajesh Khanna (Director, Symbiosis Skills and Professional University). The discussion emphasized curriculum innovation, real-world skill integration, and academia-industry alignment.
A post-break group consultation titled “Co-creating Pathways for Skilling in Future Tech for Youth” facilitated collaborative ideation among participants from government, education, and private sectors.
