Beyond factories: The workforce behind Uttar Pradesh's manufacturing ambitions
When discussions around industrial growth in Uttar Pradesh take place, they often focus on expressways, investment summits and new factories. However, manufacturers say infrastructure alone
When discussions around industrial growth in Uttar Pradesh take place, they often focus on expressways, investment summits and new factories. However, manufacturers say infrastructure alone does not keep production lines running. Trained operators, skilled artisans, technicians and contract workers play a critical role in helping industries meet deadlines, maintain quality and remain competitive. As Uttar Pradesh seeks to establish itself as one of India's leading manufacturing destinations, the state is increasingly focusing on strengthening the workforce that supports its nearly 96 lakh micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which form the backbone of its manufacturing economy. Read Full Story The strategy reflects a broader shift in industrial policy. Manufacturing competitiveness today depends not only on the number of factories a state attracts but also on the availability of skilled workers, the resilience of local enterprises and the ability of traditional industries to adapt to changing market demands. One of the clearest examples of this approach is Kanpur's leather industry, one of Uttar Pradesh's largest manufacturing clusters. The sector employs thousands of workers engaged in tanning, cutting, stitching and finishing leather products. A recent academic study found that employment in the industry is almost evenly divided between permanent and contractual workers, with most receiving monthly wages, providing a relatively stable income structure.
To strengthen this workforce, the state has linked tannery workers with skill development programmes, health insurance and digital identification through Udyog cards. These measures provide workers with better access to welfare benefits, healthcare and accident insurance. Officials believe that a skilled and socially secure workforce is essential for sustaining productivity and improving the competitiveness of manufacturing clusters. The same approach extends to traditional manufacturing hubs that have shaped Uttar Pradesh's industrial identity for decades. Under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, artisans in Moradabad's brassware industry and Meerut's sports goods sector are receiving support for branding, packaging, design improvements and technical upgradation. The initiative aims not only to preserve traditional crafts but also to help them compete more effectively in domestic and international markets. Official figures highlight the scale of the programme. Since the launch of ODOP in 2018, more than 1.46 lakh artisans have received training, while over 20,000 entrepreneurs have directly benefited from the initiative. The programme has also generated employment opportunities for more than 3.16 lakh people, reinforcing its contribution to livelihoods and manufacturing growth. The impact of the initiative is visible across the state. In Moradabad, Padma Shri awardee Dilshad Hussain said the ODOP scheme has expanded the reach of the city's brass industry through branding support, marketing opportunities and participation in exhibitions, resulting in stronger international demand.
The BriefWire