“Agility In Reskilling Is Of Upmost Importance”

“As technology continues to disrupt businesses and job roles, the half-life of a skill, that is the time taken for a skill to lose 50 per cent of its relevance is shrinking fast"

Concerns have been raised in several reports regarding the unemployability of engineering graduates. What is at the core of the problem?

The core underlying problem behind the lower employability of engineering graduates in India can be attributed to a combination of factors which include saturation in the job market, gap between industry requirements and the skills imparted in the education system, inconsistent standards of quality of education in certain cases, and oversupply of graduates in certain engineering disciplines.

Furthermore, engineers need to commit to life-long and continuous learning and one cannot just depend on a degree to secure a job. For engineering graduates to stay relevant in the job market, they must stay on the top of emerging and relevant tech and digital skills such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, etc. Engineering grads may have theoretical knowledge but lack hands-on experience

and exposure to real-world scenarios in most cases, making them less attractive to employers.

There have been layoffs in several sectors in the last one year. What challenges does this pose for fresh engineering graduates, and how can they brace for this challenge?

Layoffs happen for a range of reasons. Skill relevance is one of them. Shifting industry demands and rapid advancements in technology, such as AI, automation, and digital transformation, can disrupt typical job roles and render certain skills or positions obsolete. This could lead to companies restructuring or downsizing their workforce with an aim to optimise operational efficiency. Another key aspect with respect to engineering job market in India is the limited job opportunities amidst intense competition. With more experienced professionals now seeking new job opportunities, fresh grads could find it harder to secure employment.

To brace for these challenges, while the fresh engineering graduates should look at continuously upgrading their skills and acquire relevant skills, they need to build resilience. They can engage in self-learning, online courses, or certifications to meet any skill gaps. While technical skills are important, they should also focus on enhancing their soft skills such as communication, teamwork, analytical thinking, etc. which are essential for success in today’s workplace. One more thing fresh engineering graduates must do is networking, join professional groups, attend industry-specific events, and make use of professional platforms like LinkedIn, GitHub, etc. to highlight their skills and capability.

How can engineering colleges ready their students for the world of work where AI is causing disruption?

AI is getting bigger and disrupting industries and businesses across sectors, hence the importance of incorporating AI related courses or specialisations into their curriculum for the engineering colleges is a must. We must support interdisciplinary collaboration for students by creating a unique environment that fosters innovation in this space. It’s important for the colleges to create a proactive network or an advisory board of industry experts to give early exposure to new sectoral

developments, provide internships, mentorship opportunities to expose students at scale. We have also seen many colleges have invested in creating research incubators to help drive new-age thinking. These practices will help give the student an early edge as they enter the world which has a growing influence of AI.

What would you say about re-skilling and skill upgradation of employees that is now being much talked about?

As technology continues to disrupt businesses and job roles, the half-life of a skill, that is the time taken for a skill to lose 50 per cent of its relevance is shrinking fast. The conventional approach of learning certain skills once and depending on them throughout one's career is now obsolete. The new mantra for employees to survive and thrive in today’s competitive business landscape is lifelong learning, and therefore agility in re-skilling and skill upgradation of employees is of utmost importance. Take for example AI, the technologies in this field continue to evolve at a fast pace, making it imperative for engineering professionals to stay updated with the latest developments and gain relevant skills, as a means to enhance their employability.

What is the scope for core engineering disciplines in Industry 5.0?

The nature of work is changing rapidly, driven by digital tools and technologies. Industry 4.0 focused on automation and efficiency, while Industry 5.0 will focus on personalisation and machines working alongside humans. As we prepare for this shift, engineers from core disciplines will play a critical role in driving innovation, productivity, human-machine collaboration, and sustainable growth for industries across sectors.

Here are some examples of the roles that engineers will play in Industry 5.0:

· Electrical and electronics engineers will develop intelligent control systems that can sense and respond to their environment.

· Mechanical engineers will drive innovation in machinery by designing machines that are more efficient, productive, and safe.

· Software engineers will work on AI algorithms and advanced software applications that can automate tasks and make decisions.

· Civil engineers will be instrumental in developing smart infrastructure that can collect and use data to improve efficiency and safety.

In addition to these core disciplines, I expect to see a surge in interdisciplinary engineering capabilities, as engineers from different disciplines work together to solve complex problems. The transition to Industry 5.0 will be a challenge, but it also represents an incredible opportunity for engineers to make a significant impact on the future of work.