Skilling in the Informal Economy in India: Identifying and Addressing Inequities in Designing and Delivering Lifelong Learning Opportunities

Abstract

Lifelong learning opportunities (LLOs) for adults enhance their capabilities and resilience in adapting to changing circumstances, especially in the context of livelihoods. However, informal economy workers face barriers to accessing LLOs, including the digital divide among other challenges. An action research case study of an Indian LLO provider shifting to hybrid vocational education reveals the potential of digital LLOs, where low mobile data costs, high phone penetration, and flexible options mitigate learning expenses. The study details the constraints that the informal economy learners and the LLO providers face and thus contributes to the literature analyzing the broader implications of market changes and skill development for sustainable development.

Keywords:

• Improving employability
• informal economy
• lifelong learning
• skilling in India
• vocational education

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Padmini Ram

Dr. Padmini Ram is the Director of Urban Ethnographers in India. With a PhD from the University of Cambridge, Dr. Ram has two decades of experience as a practitioner and academic working on the informal economy. Her research focuses on economic sociology, political economy, and public policy, and she is a TEDx speaker on the informal economy.

Tanya Toshali

Tanya Toshali, a Coordinator at Urban Ethnographers, holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Her research is focused on exploring avenues for economic growth, employment generation, and gender empowerment within the informal economy.

Sidharth Santhosh

Sidharth Santhosh is Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Policy Research in India and holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Economics from Sciences Po, Paris. Sidharth’s research focuses on responsive governance in emerging economies for sectors such as education and health.