There is no doubt, that youth has been the backbone of the successful IT industry in the country. The industry has been growing immensely over the past few years. However, the situation is changing now as these ‘pillars’ of the industry are now facing a threat from the very technologies the once invented. Automation, Machine-to-Machine communication, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics etc, have not only impacted the IT talent but also the associated jobs.
One of the major causes the IT talent is increasingly finding itself in this tight spot could be attributed to the shortcomings in the current education system. We tend to train our students from a young age that “Getting Good Grades” is all that matters and that a paper degree is the highest aspiration. The current system focuses on bookish knowledge and not enough stress is laid on practical approach to learning.
Such a restricted approach to learning, impacts the individual upbringing and their ability to pick up new skills in their life and carve a successful career path for themselves.
Impact on IT & IMS Industry
Various industry reports indicate that, more than 50 per cent of the jobs would be in the high skilled segment while the demand for semi-skilled or minimally skilled jobs would be less. Further they also indicated that highly skill oriented domains like data, communication and mobile would be the next drivers of the industry.
While, mobile computing is proving to be the next growth driver for the IT industry, the present curriculum does not reflect it. Hence there is a need for innovative teaching methods, advanced courses and exceptional faculty to create globally competent IT professionals.
IT & IMS industry which is currently seeing the need of an inflow of nearly 3,00,000 professionals every year, will form a backbone of initiatives such Digital India and Smart Cities launched by the Govt of India. In order to be successful, the industry will require a highly skilled workforce that will not only address the challenges of today but also of the future.
Opportunity for Growth
Just like with every challenge, comes an opportunity. The country now has the opportunity to take necessary action. India is today at a turning point and has the capacity to become a source bank for human resource in the future, however it will require a skilled workforce for it take it to a global stage. India’s youth which forms a majority of the population is the advantage the country needs to be able to leverage in an effective manner in to order to leverage this opportunity
The Solution
The vast diversity in India, does not allow “One strategy fits all approach” and nor is the problem restricted to one particular stakeholder. It will require all stakeholders to work collectively in order to address the problem.
A CII report on the skill gap in India revealed that, when it comes to understanding technology concepts states such as Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Haryana are further ahead as compared to other states. At a city level Pondicherry, Agra, New Delhi, Coimbatore, Madurai, Chennai, Salem, Bangalore, Ghaziabad etc. are seen as promising hubs as compared to other cities. Such insights should be used in planning strategies that will have a meaningful impact on the industry and be beneficial to all.
Furthermore, academia, training institutes and corporate should work together, to ensure that skills imparted are not just restricted to address a particular job requirement but should also help in the overall development of an individual. This would not only help them to get employed but also enable them to work towards their employability.
Strive for Excellence
At the same time, students and employees should recognize the changing scenario and re-skill themselves on a regular basis not only to stay relevant in the job market but also be able to build a career path for themselves. Thus, developing an approach that will provide benefits of both learning and teaching in an effective manner will be crucial to growth of IT Industry in the future

Remembering the lesson given by Baba Ranchordass, (Movie- 3 Idiots) to “ Strive for excellence and success will follow” will go a long way our in helping us to achieve the goal of building a “ Highly skilled and future ready IT industry.”