Building an AI-ready workforce: How leaders are reimagining skills for future

In India’s manufacturing, real estate, and energy sectors, leaders are taking bold steps to demystify AI, ensure its accessibility, and align it with long-term business transformation. In a video conversation with HR leaders from Aequs, Rustomjee Group, and Luminous Power Tech reveal how they are creating structured and sustainable AI learning ecosystems. 

For Aequs Limited, AI adoption is not just a digital upgrade but a cultural shift. Kapil Mahajan, CHRO, explains that the company has framed its approach around three categories of AI skills: AI for Everyone, Contextual AI, and AI Solution Building. 

This tiered model ensures that employees—from shop floor to leadership—understand how AI can make processes smarter, reduce errors, and spark innovation. With low-code/no-code platforms and AI mentors, Aequs is turning what could be an intimidating skill set into something accessible, adaptable, and relevant. 

For Rustomjee Group, the excitement around AI is palpable. “The curiosity within our teams is high—everyone wants to know how AI can add value to their specific function,” shares Mahesh Gera, CHRO. 

But the company’s approach remains deliberate. Rather than chasing every AI trend, Rustomjee Group is building adoption brick by brick. The focus is on aligning AI initiatives with business goals and customer outcomes, ensuring sustainability instead of short-lived enthusiasm. 

As Gera notes, accessibility is no longer the barrier—what matters now is choosing what’s most relevant for long-term strategy. 

At Luminous Power Tech, AI upskilling is directly tied to the company’s transformation journey—from being a storage brand to becoming a future-ready energy solutions provider. 

Shikha Gupta, CHRO, highlights a ‘just-in-time, just-for-me, just-enough’ model that equips employees with the exact skills they need to adapt quickly.

 A blended approach—combining partnerships with institutions like the National Institute of Solar Energy, internal trainers, and modular learning pathways—has driven adoption, with over 95% employee engagement on platforms like LinkedIn Learning. The results are tangible: leaders themselves now seek out L&D teams because they see how AI skills translate into productivity gains and sales growth.