Pune: The Pune Institute of Business Management (PIBM) hosted the International Conference 2026 themed “From Education to Employment – Building Future-Ready Youth in BRICS & Other Partner Countries,” where policymakers, diplomats, academicians, and students discussed strategies to prepare young talent for the evolving global workforce.
A key proposal that emerged from the conference was the creation of sector specific Business Solutions Centres of Excellence through international collaboration to strengthen workforce skills and industry readiness.
The conference emphasised the urgent need to bridge the gap between education and employment through skill development, technological awareness, and global partnerships.
Participants from countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America joined the discussions, highlighting the increasing importance of collaborative initiatives such as Business Solutions Centres of Excellence in building a globally competitive workforce.
Ramanpreet Singh, Chairman of the PIBM Group of Institutes, said, “The purpose of this conference is very simple. After conducting extensive research, we realized that the world must come together to address a crucial challenge – developing skills and competencies among the youth,” he said.
He explained that the core agenda of the conference was to discuss one of the most pressing global priorities — building competencies among young people to meet future workforce demands.
Sharing insights from research conducted by PIBM, he explained that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies contribute nearly 30–40% of GDP in most developing economies, whereas in developed nations their contribution often exceeds 50–55%.
According to Ramanpreet, one key reason for this gap is the level of workforce skill development. “In developed economies, the working population has been consistently trained and skilled for the future – often preparing for the needs of the next five to ten years,” he explained. He added that industries around the world are evolving rapidly, requiring billions of people to continuously upgrade their skills — a process that sector specific Business Solutions Centres of Excellence could help accelerate.
Global Workforce Trends and Talent Selection
Another insight shared during the conference focused on global talent selection patterns. Ramanpreet Singh explained that roughly 5% of the global population qualifies through advanced analytical, quantitative, and verbal assessments and eventually enters top global organisations.
However, the remaining 95% of the workforce contributes to small, medium, and large enterprises across the world, making them a critical pillar of economic growth. He referred to reports from the World Bank suggesting that 60–70% of the global workforce will be employed in SMEs and mid-sized companies.
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Proposal for sector specific Business Solutions Centres of Excellence
A major highlight of the conference was the proposal to create sector specific Business Solutions Centres of Excellence through international partnerships.
Inspired by India’s sector skill council model, these Business Solutions Centres of Excellence would focus on specific industries and promote the development of best practices, advanced business solutions, and innovation-driven products and services.
“Different countries have strengths in different sectors. Some excel in manufacturing, while others are leaders in technology or services. Through international collaboration, countries could share technologies, processes, and business models to create better solutions for consumers globally,” Ramanpreet said.
He emphasised that sector specific Business Solutions Centres of Excellence could also help small and medium enterprises adopt modern technologies, automation, and innovative practices more effectively.
He added that such initiatives would benefit the 95% of youth who may not enter top-tier corporate pipelines but form the backbone of the global workforce. By equipping them with globally relevant skills through Business Solutions Centres of Excellence, countries can improve employability, productivity, and innovation.
The PIBM International Conference 2026 concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between nations, institutions, and industries to build Business Solutions Centres of Excellence and prepare youth for the evolving global economy while creating a sustainable pathway from education to employment.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Vinodkumar Gaikwad, Regional Passport Officer in Pune, stressed the importance of preparing youth for a rapidly changing global environment.
He noted that India possesses one of the largest pools of young talent in the world and that proper education, skill training, and international exposure can enable this talent to contribute significantly not only to India’s growth but also to the global economy.
He emphasised that education systems must increasingly focus on innovation, technological literacy, entrepreneurship, and adaptability so that young people are prepared for emerging industries and opportunities linked to initiatives like Business Solutions Centres of Excellence.
He further spoke about India’s global capacity-building initiatives through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC). In addition, scholarship programmes enable thousands of students from Global South nations to pursue higher education in India.
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Growing Importance of International Mobility and Exposure for Youth
Speaking about Pune’s role as a global education hub, Dr. Gaikwad noted that the city hosts more than 100,000 students from across India and several countries around the world.
“In my capacity as the Regional Passport Officer in Pune, I often see how education connects young people to the wider world. For many Indians, passports are not merely travel documents but gateways to global learning, innovation, and professional opportunities,” he said.
Earlier, Ramanpreet Singh welcomed Jitendra Joshi, Chairman, GIBF; H.E. Ubong Akpan Johnny Acting, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; H. E. Dr. Desire Boniface Some, The Ambassador of Burkina Faso to India; H.E Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, Ambassador of Vietnam to India; and H. E. Mr. Ivan Y. Fetisov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai.
