BRICS can provide an important platform for member countries to exchange successful approaches to skill development and prepare workers for changing labour-market demands, Alina Singh, Deputy Director of Russia's Skills Development Agency, said at the BRICS Business Forum.

Singh highlighted the value of cooperation among BRICS countries in sharing expertise, identifying effective training models and learning from each other's experiences. Her remarks come as skill development gains greater importance within the bloc amid rapid technological changes and evolving requirements across industries.

Skill Development Emerges as a BRICS Priority

The discussion reflects the growing emphasis on workforce development within BRICS. The BRICS Business Council identifies skill development as a strategic priority, particularly given the bloc's large young population and rising demand for future-ready capabilities. 

For businesses, the availability of appropriately trained workers is increasingly linked to competitiveness, productivity and the ability to adopt new technologies.

Singh's comments therefore place human capital alongside trade, investment, technology and supply-chain cooperation as an important part of the BRICS economic agenda.

Sharing Best Practices Across Countries

One of the potential advantages of BRICS cooperation is the ability of member countries to compare different approaches to vocational education and workforce training.

Countries within the grouping have developed their own systems for technical education, apprenticeships, vocational training and industry-linked skill programmes. Sharing successful practices could help governments and institutions identify models that can be adapted to their own labour markets.

Rather than creating a single training system for all BRICS members, cooperation could focus on exchanging knowledge and developing partnerships suited to individual national requirements.

Technology Is Changing Workforce Needs

The demand for new skills is also being driven by technological transformation.

Automation, artificial intelligence, digital platforms and advanced manufacturing are changing the nature of jobs across sectors. This is increasing pressure on education and training systems to help workers acquire skills that remain relevant as industries evolve.

For BRICS economies, cooperation in this area could include greater interaction between training institutions, businesses, technology companies and policymakers.

Russia Sees Scope for Deeper Cooperation

Russia has continued to emphasise vocational and technical skills as part of its workforce-development efforts. Singh's participation at the BRICS Business Forum highlights Moscow's interest in using the grouping to exchange experiences beyond traditional areas of economic cooperation.

Earlier BRICS discussions have also included efforts to build talent pools and strengthen collaboration in skills development. (INPDP)

Such cooperation could potentially create opportunities for institutions to work together on training programmes, industry standards and workforce mobility.

Businesses Need Future-Ready Workers

For the private sector, skill development is not only a social-policy issue but also an economic requirement.

Companies expanding into new markets need access to workers who can operate modern technologies and meet evolving industry standards. Better alignment between training institutions and businesses can help reduce skill gaps and improve employability.

This makes workforce development relevant to the wider BRICS objective of strengthening economic cooperation among member countries.

BRICS Cooperation Beyond Trade

The remarks by Singh also underline how the BRICS agenda is expanding beyond conventional trade and financial discussions.

The grouping is increasingly being used as a platform for cooperation in areas such as technology, startups, innovation, logistics and human-capital development. Current BRICS discussions include initiatives aimed at connecting startups and strengthening supply-chain cooperation. 

Skill development could become another practical area where cooperation produces tangible benefits for businesses and workers.

Building a More Connected Talent Ecosystem

The challenge for BRICS will be turning the exchange of best practices into sustained cooperation.

Greater interaction between training agencies, educational institutions, employers and policymakers could help member countries respond more effectively to changing workforce requirements.

Singh's remarks suggest that the value of BRICS cooperation may lie not only in expanding trade between member states but also in helping them develop the skilled workforce needed to support the next phase of economic growth.

As AI hiring grows rapidly across industries, reports suggest nearly 70% of short-term AI courses fail to provide practical skills employers actually seek.

The race to build a career in artificial intelligence is accelerating across India. From students to working professionals, thousands are enrolling in AI certification programs with hopes of securing high-paying jobs in one of the world's fastest-growing sectors. However, industry experts and recent reports are warning that not all AI courses deliver on their promises, despite aggressive marketing and claims of guaranteed placements.

According to industry assessments, AI-related skills are now among the most sought-after competencies in the job market. Employers across technology, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and consulting sectors are increasingly looking for candidates who can apply AI tools to solve real business problems. This demand has triggered a surge in short-term AI training programs, bootcamps, and certification courses.

However, a joint report by industry bodies and hiring platforms indicates that a significant percentage of these fast-track programs provide limited practical value. While many institutions advertise “100% job guarantees,” experts say such claims often come with conditions and may not reflect actual employment outcomes.

Growing Demand, Growing Concerns

Industry data suggests that AI skills are now listed as a requirement in a growing share of job vacancies across India. Companies are increasingly hiring candidates who can contribute immediately rather than waiting for traditional four-year degree graduates to gain practical experience.

This trend has encouraged the rise of three-to-six-month intensive AI programs. While some are designed in partnership with reputed institutions and technology companies, others focus primarily on issuing certificates without developing job-ready skills.

Reports indicate that employers place greater value on candidates who can demonstrate real-world AI experience through live projects, portfolios, and problem-solving abilities. Simply holding a certificate is often no longer enough to secure employment in competitive AI-related roles.

What Employers Actually Want

Recruiters say the hiring landscape has changed significantly over the past two years. Instead of evaluating candidates solely on academic qualifications, companies increasingly assess practical skills, project experience, and the ability to use AI effectively in workplace scenarios.

Experts recommend that learners build portfolios containing publicly deployed projects, AI applications, data analysis work, or automation solutions. Such evidence of hands-on experience often carries more weight than certificates alone.

Several categories of AI education are currently attracting attention. Premium institutional programs offered through leading universities focus on AI architecture, machine learning, and advanced technical skills. Global certifications from major technology companies provide tool-specific expertise recognized internationally. Meanwhile, non-coding business-focused programs are helping managers and entrepreneurs understand AI implementation strategies.

Beyond Certificates

Career advisors suggest that newcomers should avoid rushing into expensive technical programs without first understanding AI fundamentals. Many recommend starting with introductory AI literacy courses that explain core concepts, business applications, and ethical considerations.

According to workforce experts, courses centered on long-term concepts such as data literacy, problem framing, AI governance, and responsible AI use are likely to remain relevant even as technology evolves rapidly. In contrast, training focused exclusively on specific AI tools may become outdated within months as newer platforms emerge.

Industry representatives also note that professionals with genuine AI expertise continue to command salary premiums. Mid-level specialists working in areas such as Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and MLOps are increasingly securing lucrative compensation packages.

At the same time, AI is reshaping the broader employment landscape. Reports suggest routine entry-level tasks in software testing, customer support, and basic coding are experiencing growing automation pressures. Employers are now emphasizing analytical thinking, decision-making abilities, and effective AI prompt creation during recruitment processes.