PIB workshop spotlights roadmap to build future-ready workforce for creative economy

NAGPUR: India’s creative ambitions are getting a fresh script. At a media workshop organised by the Press Information Bureau, industry and government representatives outlined plans to expand the country’s creative workforce as India seeks to increase its presence in the global orange economy.

Speaking at the one-day Varta workshop on Creating a Future Ready Workforce for India’s Creative Economy, Indian Institute of Creative Technology board member Ashish Kulkarni said India currently accounts for around 3 per cent of the global orange economy and aims to raise its share to 12 to 15 per cent over the next decade.

Kulkarni said the institute is working to achieve this by strengthening skills, education and industry collaboration across the creative sectors.

The workshop, organised by the Press Information Bureau under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at Chitnavis Centre in Nagpur, brought together senior editors and media professionals to discuss the future of India’s creative industries.

Kulkarni announced that IICT, in partnership with the National Council of Educational Research and Training, plans to introduce the Kaushal Bodh curriculum to encourage creativity and skill development among students from an early stage of education.

He also revealed plans to establish AVGC Content Creator Labs in 500 colleges and 15,000 schools across the country, expanding access to practical learning in animation, visual effects, gaming, comics and extended reality.

The IICT has been operating as the National Centre of Excellence for the AVGC-XR sector since July 2025 from the National Film Development Corporation complex in Mumbai. According to Kulkarni, the institute will offer industry-focused courses through a hub-and-spoke model, enabling students in regional and semi-urban centres to access specialised training alongside learners at its Mumbai campus.

Highlighting India’s long-standing storytelling traditions and indigenous knowledge systems, Kulkarni said these strengths are increasingly finding global audiences through digital platforms. He added that several central ministries and creative institutions are developing customised programmes to meet evolving industry requirements and strengthen the country’s creative talent pipeline.

Addressing participants, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, director general (west zone), Smita Vats Sharma outlined various initiatives being undertaken by the ministry to support the media and creative sectors.

The event also featured a welcome address by PIB Mumbai deputy director Jaydevi Pujari Swami, while media and communication officer Saurabh Khekade conducted the proceedings. The vote of thanks was delivered by media and communication officer (additional charge) Dhananjay Wankhede.

As India looks to build a larger footprint in the global creative economy, policymakers and industry leaders see investments in education, technology and specialised training as key ingredients for transforming the country’s rich storytelling heritage into a global economic opportunity.