Before bifurcation North Arcot district gained a fair momentum regarding industries during the 70’s and 80’s from special measures taken by the Government, consequent on its being declared as backward district. But after the bifurcation almost all the industrial areas in North Arcot district fell in Vellore district except silk industries in Arni.
Currently SLS Cotton Spinning Mills in Arni is the only major industry besides sugar mills in Anakkavur, Polur and Tiruvannamalai. However medium and small scale industries as well as cottage industries such as modern rice mills, weaving factories, cotton, silk and mat weaving, coir manufacturing and beedi manufacturing are flourishing here.
Arni is known for affordable silk saris throughout India. In the district, there are food and allied manufacturing industries and non-food manufacturing industries of which grain mills and food products manufacturing play a major role in contributing to the income in the district.
❖ The district is ranked 14th in terms of the highest population in the state with more than one-third of its population residing in urban areas.
❖ The overall literacy rate of the district is 82.6%, which is higher than the state average of 80%.
❖ The district has recorded a sex ratio of 1035, the 2nd highest among the districts in the state.
❖ 34.4% of the overall population in the district are in the age group of 15-34 years. The median age is set to increase from 29 years in 2011 to 36 years in 2026, indicating an ageing population and hence requiring targeted interventions to meet their needs.
❖ The district has seen an increasing trend in female literacy, indicating greater chances to improve female labour force participation.
❖ Thanjavur, also known as the ‘Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu,’ is the most fertile district in the state and the largest producer of coconut in Tamil Nadu.
❖ Apart from this, farmers grow paddy and sugarcane in the district.
❖ The district has an array of agro-based industries, rice mills, coir making units, sugar mills, apart from numerous ancillary units serving BHEL.
❖ SIPCOT and SIDCO industrial estates have declined in growth in the last 10 years owing to high attrition and unavailability of skilled labour force, besides reduced orders from BHEL.
❖ The district is famous for traditional handicrafts and industrial clusters involved in the production of Thanjavur gold paintings, musical instrument—veena, Thanjavur bronze idol making, coir products, metal ware, brass utensils, silk weaving handloom, bell metal products, icon and art plate works, which significantly contribute to the economy of the district.
❖ Due to lack of promotion and marketing facilities, these clusters are dying off even though they have high potential to boost the economy of the district.
❖ The overall labour force participation (63%) and worker population ratio (60%) are higher at the district level compared to the state level.
❖ More than half of the workers in the district are in casual labour as against the state average of 44%.
❖ Youth Unemployment Rate (15-29 years) in the district is 5 percentage points higher than the state average (11%).
❖ Tiruvannamalai is home to the Tiruvannamalai Mahal Library, which dates back to the end of the 16th century and contains over 30,000 rare manuscripts.
❖ There are 1121 Primary schools, 265 Middle schools, 202 High schools, and 212 Higher Secondary schools functioning in the district.
❖ Training on traditional skills needs to be imparted to youth.
❖ There are 32 Arts and Science Colleges functioning in the district, of which six are government colleges, five are aided colleges, and 21 are unaided colleges.
❖ Apart from this, the district has 15 engineering colleges and 14 polytechnic colleges. Tiruvannamalai also has four universities – Tamil University, Voorhees College, Muthurangam College.
❖ The district includes well-known institutions such as CMC Medical College & Hospital and Narayani Medical Hospital.
❖ Several research centres are present, including the Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology and the Soil and Water Research Centre.
❖ The district also houses five Agricultural Research Institutions.
❖ The youth have high salary expectations with a median amount of INR 22,000 per month for entry-level jobs, and 41% of youth in the survey were interested in undergoing skill training.
❖ Women aspired to be employed in Textile, Education, and Retail sectors, whereas young men are keen to join Banking and Financial Services, Construction, Transport & Logistics, and Electronics and IT sectors.
❖ 65% of youth respondents aspired to be engaged in wage employment activities, compared to 25% in self-employment activities; the rest wanted to become entrepreneurs.
❖ The main factors determining youth aspirations are Salary (wages)/Income (90%), Job Security (69%), and Social Status (42%).
❖ 34% of youth feel there is a lack of adequate employment opportunities in the district.
❖ Lack of sufficient educational qualifications was the major challenge faced by youth in pursuing their career aspirations. Other factors include lack of family support (14.4%).
❖ 11% of youth highlighted the lack of technical and vocational skills as a challenge in pursuing their career aspirations.
❖ 88% of respondents preferred a job within their hometown.
❖ Only 5% of respondents had any awareness of Government-run vocational programs, while around 2% had undergone vocational training previously.
❖ 41% of respondents were interested in undertaking vocational training.
❖ Of these respondents, 41% wanted training to be short-term certificate courses, and 82% wanted the courses to be part time in nature.
❖ The survey covered 33 industries from primarily five sectors, with highest representations from auto and auto components, food processing, and building construction — the largest contributors to the local economy.
❖ 48% of the industries have been in operation for more than 10 years.
❖ 70% of the industries surveyed reported being categorized as Small Industries.
❖ Majority of employers (68%) recruited through employee references, either from existing employees or known sources as the primary mode of recruitment.
❖ The most common challenges faced by employers were candidate disinterest and attitude (35%), followed by high local wages (31%) and lack of requisite core skills (10%).
❖ Employers estimate an annual attrition rate of 25% from their workforce.
❖ Better job opportunities (84%) and lower wages (72%) were the dominant causes of attrition.
❖ Candidate demand for higher wages leads to attrition in the industries.
❖ The attrition rate is high in industries due to high wage demands and outward migration trends.
❖ Artisans are ready to provide skill training to youths irrespective of educational qualifications.
❖ Students studying architecture generally do their internships with these artisans informally.
❖ Artisans are willing to pass on their skills if there is a structured program supported by Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation.
❖ To improve their business, marketing strategies should be introduced.
❖ Unskilled labourers are mostly employed in rice and sugar mills. Even though largely unskilled, they are trained on the job to take up semi-skilled activities.
❖ Welder, Fitter, CNC operator, and Electrician are the most in-demand job profiles preferred by recruiters.
❖ Unemployed youth who join short-term training programs are more willing to work in private companies.
❖ Swiggy and Zomato delivery agents are in high demand in the district towns of Tiruvannamalai and Vellore.
❖ As per the skill gap estimation, the overall demand for skilled and semi-skilled workforce over the next six years is 97,051.
❖ Key sub-sectors driving the demand are manufacturing, construction, trade and repair services, education; transportation and storage, telecommunication, real estate, human health and social work activities, and repair of computers and personal and household goods.