Bridging Tradition and Industry: Assessing Industry–Academia Linkages and Skill Readiness of Youths

Bridging Tradition and Industry: Assessing Industry–Academia Linkages and Skill Readiness of Youths Lalita Rajendrakumar Rawal Assistant Professor, BBA Dept. Hirachand Nemchand College of Commerce, Solapur Vanita Prem Mara Assistant Professor, MBA Dept. Hirachand Nemchand College of Commerce, Solapur Abstract The youths face the challenges due to two issues: skill and will. The skill gap between industry and academia creates unemployment, distress leading to long-term impact. India’s demographic dividend offers major potential for economic growth, but persistent educated unemployment highlights serious weaknesses in the education and skill development system. Although enrolment in higher education and vocational programmes has increased, many young people remain insufficiently prepared for employment. This contradiction is especially visible in Maharashtra, where advanced manufacturing, service industries, traditional sectors, and a strong higher education network exist together. Despite its major contribution to India’s industrial output and gross state domestic product, the state continues to face skill mismatch, graduate employability, and uneven regional development. This paper uses secondary data to examine how industry–academia linkages influence youth skill readiness in Maharashtra. Drawing on policy documents, skill gap reports, employability surveys, academic studies, and institutional publications, it evaluates collaboration mechanisms, skill outcomes, and the employment role of traditional industries. The study finds that, despite supportive policies, implementation remains fragmented, and requiring stronger, integrated partnerships for inclusive and productive human capital development. Keywords: Industry–academia linkages, skill readiness, youth employability, secondary data, Maharashtra, traditional industries