India’s reskilling market is witnessing unprecedented growth, fueled by the rapid expansion of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) across the country. As GCCs evolve from traditional delivery roles into strategic hubs of innovation, global enterprises are investing heavily in upskilling and professional certification programs to ensure their India-based workforce is aligned with international standards.
According to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), GCCs are expected to contribute 2% of India’s GDP and generate 2.8 million jobs by 2030, underlining their role as a major driver of employment and skill development.
What Are Global Capability Centres (GCCs)?
GCCs — also known as Global In-house Centres (GICs) or Captive Centres — are fully owned subsidiaries of multinational corporations, established in talent-rich locations like India. These centres focus on technology development, research, analytics, and business transformation.
With over 1,700 GCCs operating in India as of FY24, and projections to reach 2,200 by 2030, India has emerged as the global hub for GCC expansion. In FY24 alone, GCCs generated $64.6 billion in export revenue, marking a sharp 40% growth from the previous year.
Reskilling: A Strategic Priority for GCCs
From Individual-Driven to Organisation-Led Learning
The rise of GCCs has transformed corporate learning. Amit Goyal, Managing Director – South Asia, Project Management Institute (PMI), highlighted that companies are moving from “individual-driven” learning to “organisation-led” reskilling programs.
“Global Capability Centres are sponsoring structured study-at-work initiatives to ensure employees remain relevant and future-ready,” said Goyal.
Certifications as a Benchmark
Many GCCs prefer globally accredited certifications to set performance benchmarks and align with international best practices. This ensures their teams can match global standards in AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud, and emerging tech fields.
Skilling as a Talent Retention and Growth Strategy
Smitha Hemmigae, Managing Director of ANSR, noted that GCC careers are now seen as leadership tracks rather than just delivery roles. Upskilling, career pathing, and leadership development have become critical differentiators for attracting and retaining top talent.
This shift is reshaping GCC jobs into more strategic, cross-functional, and global opportunities, making them highly desirable among Indian professionals.
The Reskilling Gap in India’s Workforce
- 88% of India’s workforce was in low-competency occupations.
- Only 10–12% were in high-competency roles.
The five key sectors driving vocational training in India are:
- IT and ITeS
- Textile and Apparel
- Electronics
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Beauty and Wellness
Global Firms See India Beyond Cost Advantage
Gaurav Makhijani, Head of Tax (North India & Gujarat), Roedl and Partner India, emphasized that India is no longer viewed solely as a low-cost destination. Instead, GCCs are positioning India as a strategic talent hub for innovation, R&D, and leadership development.
“From the start, global companies are including plans for long-term upskilling, leadership growth, and innovation in their India strategy,” he said.
GCC Expansion Across Indian Cities
- Bengaluru: 487 GCCs (29% of India’s total)
- Hyderabad: 273 GCCs (16%)
- NCR (Delhi region): 272 GCCs
- Mumbai, Pune, Chennai: strong contributors to the GCC ecosystem
Outlook: GCCs as Catalysts for Reskilling and Economic Growth
By 2030, GCCs will not only shape India’s position as a global digital talent hub, but also drive reskilling, innovation, and leadership development at scale. With global enterprises investing in professional certifications, L&D programs, and university partnerships, India’s workforce is being prepared for the next wave of global transformation.
As GCCs contribute more to GDP and job creation, their role in building future-ready talent will be central to India’s economic and digital growth story.
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