Only 20% of Indian Engineers are directly fit for Core Engineering jobs, says a survey. feeling a bit shocked?, let's read this article from Selvame Pazhany
Indian Engineers:
India is one of the major countries producing around 1.5 Millions Engineers every year to cater the Indian and Global needs. Also, Indian engineers are serving with top companies globally and leading many fortune 500 companies in leadership roles.
Alarming Facts :
Only three per cent of engineer graduates in India get high-quality tech jobs with salary packages of Rs 8-10 Lakh and above according to a report released in ‘The Times of India”.
The Data provided by Scaler – a platform by tech start-up interview bit, showed that over 80 per cent of these graduates end up pursuing non-technical careers due to the non-availability of employment opportunities.
The new Annual Employability Survey 2019 report by Aspiring Minds reveals that 80% of Indian engineers are not fit for any job in the knowledge economy and only 2.5% of them possess tech skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI) that industry requires.
A recent survey done by India Skill Report 2021 – Reveal the Engineer's employability is only between 40 – 48%. Or they only industry fit.
Courtesy: India Skill Report 2021
Also NASCOM – 2019 survey states that only 2.5 Lacs are getting jobs in their core engineering Industry. That too mostly in Elec and Software industries.
This raises big questions about the quality of engineering graduates. Day by Day number of colleges is getting added without improving the employability index. More push and thrive given to start up and entrepreneurial but without addressing the employability capability.
Why is this a Big Gap?
Looking at the present digital requirement post-pandemic the requirement is completely different and putting more pressure on students to learn about Artificial Intelligence, Big data, Machine learning, Virtual reality, Block Chain, IIOT, Robotic Process Automation and much more digital and sustainable drive. Whereas only 4% of engineers possess these skills and are ready for industry fit.
The Indian technical institute's emphasis and priories on technical writing skills & memory rather than improving technical competency and other soft skills.
Yes, there is a Huge SKILL GAP…. IF YOU DON’T SKILL INDIA, YOU ARE GOING TO KILL INDIA….Shri.Sadhguru says.
Soft Skill Gaps :
· Problem-solving and Ideation
· Critical Thinking
· People Management & Teamwork
· Adaptability
· Service Orientation
· Negotiation
· Creativity& Innovation
· Communication
· Emotional Intelligence
· Cognitive Flexibility
Complex Problem-Solving and Ideation :
With the advent of data handling and AI, computers are getting smarter, even outperforming human employees in a large number of tasks. Just like cars have replaced horses, we can also be replaced by machines. But, there are certain decisions and problems which require human intervention.
Critical Thinking :
The important skill that an engineer must possess is critical thinking. The ability to think clearly and solve a problem by making a logical judgement is the need of the hour across professions. Critical thinking helps engineers grasp new concepts, fuels innovative ideas and facilitates a better understanding of their connections and patterns.
Creativity& Innovation :
Machines certainly function faster; however, they cannot be as creative or imaginative as humans. Tech companies prefer engineers who are creative and logical in their approach. Creativity helps in transforming various kinds of data into information. Innovative products should address the world's biggest problems like sustainability and Industry 4.0.
People Management& Team Building :
People management skills are certainly a must-have irrespective of the profession you belong to. This is important as you may be required to manage teams or be part of one, and a person with good people management skills will be able to effectively divide the workload while helping others work together productively.
Co-ordinating with Others :
Co-ordination with people is a part of people-management skills. Achieving goals through collaborative efforts and planning your work well will prove to be beneficial when you are aiming to become an efficient engineer.
Emotional Intelligence :
The ability to control your own emotions as well as empathetically understand those of others forms the basis of this skill. A person with higher emotional intelligence is likely to be able to effectively navigate through several professional situations, helping them grow in their career. Only when you can control your emotions, you will be in a position to communicate with clarity and get your work done in the way you want.
Judgement and Decision-Making :
Making the right judgement and appropriate decisions are important skills for one to be able to come to sensible conclusions and draw connections/parallels between concepts and relationships. We often gain this skill through experiences that we get in our personal lives. In the professional space, it facilitates a better assessment of people, events, ideas and situations.
Service Orientation :
Service orientation refers to the possession of skills that enable you to help others. If you can help others in effective, innovative ways while managing your tasks, this determines the leadership quality that lies within you. This skill will help you gain the loyalty of your team along with the trust of your colleagues.
Negotiation :
Reaching an agreement without any difference of opinion is the main aspect of negotiation. This skill can be gained through practical experience and having conversations and interactions with your superiors. Observing others’ approaches towards negotiation is also an effective way to help one imbibe this skill.
Cognitive flexibility :
Last but not least, cognitive flexibility is the ability to handle different situations and people in the right manner. Today, the biggest problem is that when the technology changes, engineers are stuck in a ‘who moved my cheese’ type of scenario. However, if you have high grasping power and cognitive flexibility, you can learn new skills and continue to have strong careers.
Need for Reforms :
· In today's dynamic world, one engineer with one discipline knowledge is not enough Mechanical students should learn Electronics/PLC/Automation as an additional, which is addressed in NEP.
· Faculties need to get updated with new-age technology requirements with Application rather than bookish knowledge.
· Institute can hire Experienced industry professionals to focus on a case study and use cases implemented.
· Engineering Education has to take a good look at itself and find Innovative skills testing mechanisms.
· Technical skills like analysis, problem-solving, design thinking, coding critical thinking and testing need to be included with the skills testing strategy.
· Pre-graduate/postgraduate/students should be permitted to get into the industry to do internships and training.
Institutional Autonomy:
The Engineering curriculum must also permit students to go on internships or Projects in the industry. Without improving the technical skills& Soft skills training of students to make them more employable in the industry it is futile to Produce more engineering students.
Moreinstitution autonomy means nothing if Indian universities are just following the practices of the British colonial administration. Another major barrier is having a nationwide curriculum as it doesn't give universities, the freedom to adapt to associated Geography based industry requirements.
The present situation also represents a terrible failure for regulating agency that is more broadly responsible for planning, monitoring, and controlling Indian engineering education.
Think beyond the boundary and acquire the employable skill to get hired globally.
Best wishes to all the readers to acquire these skills through your coaches and mentors.
About the Author :
Selvame Pazhany is a Project Management Professional, Podcaster, Public speaker, Coach/ Mentor and an upcoming Author. He is creating a movement called– ASpiring MINDS to help the start-up & Entrepreneurs. He loves to strike harmony with work and is happy to transform millions of lives. He loves painting, Book reading and is a budding Author. His first book “ Rising of Entrepreneurs – SHARK 2 SPACE” is expected soon.
His Contribution to training includes Mindset transformation, Entrepreneurial, Design thinking, start-up/ Incubation, Smart factory, Leadership, sales, persuasion and High ticket closing. The signature training program that he conducts in and outside the organisation is E2E,- “Engineering to Employability ” which has helped 1500+ Engineers & small Businesses in 8+ Engineering Colleges.
He was crowned as BEST MINDSET COACH OF THE YEAR 2021 by NIST– Govt of India in their SKILL INDIA AWARDS 2021-22 for his contribution to transforming many mentees and the public.
The Digital Age EXPO – UK’s Biggest Digital Economy Virtual Conference, recently selected him as a speaker for the keynote on the topic “business transformation”.
He was Associated with RKDx talks and was awarded as Best Influencer and Motivational Speaker. He is a Keynote speaker and Advisor with DiAS – Driving aspiration an internal national forum for Speakers and Research scholars.
His Vision is to transform one million students, into Mid careers & with Entrepreneurstoward Employable &Entrepreneurial Mindset.
Selvame Pazhany
Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
9962063381
Comments