The Indian IT sector's fresher hiring landscape is expected to see a transformation in the current fiscal. As technology evolves, employers in the Indian IT sector are expected to value adaptability, innovation, and problem-solving skills over traditional qualifications. Candidates adept in emerging technologies and on the path of continuous learning are seeing an increase in demand. AI, ML, Cybersecurity, Cloud computing, data science and analytics, blockchain technology, IoT are some of the areas that will see an increase in the hiring of freshers.
As per recent reports, IT hiring seems to pick up in the second half of the fiscal year, witnessing an increase by 10-12 percent. As per experts, this is a positive signal amidst economic uncertainties. Lokesh Nigam, CEO and co-founder, Konverz.ai, said, “Organisations are recognising that the freshers have the ability to bring new perspective, and adaptability, making them essential for driving innovation and agility in fast-evolving domains. Despite the economic slowdown, there are several areas in the IT sector such as automation, and data analytics which are showing exponential growth. Start-ups and mid-sized tech firms, in particular, are leveraging fresh talent to stay competitive while keeping operational costs in check. Having said that, IT companies largely invest in upskilling and reskilling, which subsequently helps in building skilled workforce, ready for future challenges. With the continued emphasis on digital infrastructure and a shift towards sustainable technology solutions, fresher hiring is likely to remain a critical component of the IT sector’s growth strategy.”
The revival of fresher hiring in the IT sector is being fuelled by strong demand, particularly in IT services, where companies like TCS are reporting high deal pipelines. “This growth is driving the need for fresh talent to meet expanding project demands. In line with TCS’s performance, several major blue-chip companies are set to release their quarterly results this week, and it is expected they will follow similar trends, further boosting the demand for freshers. While the supply of graduates has increased due to limited hiring in the last two years, companies are eager to absorb this talent to meet their growing needs,” remarked Bhavesh Goswami, founder and CEO, CloudThat.
The areas for hiring freshers in the IT industry will be AI and ML as these technologies continue to transform and there is a significant demand for graduates skilled in developing intelligent algorithms, data analysis, and creating automation solutions. The same is the case with cybersecurity as with the rising number of cyber threats, organisations will require fresh talent adept at protecting sensitive data, developing security protocols, and ensuring robust defense mechanisms against potential breaches.
Cloud computing will also see an increase in hiring. “The shift towards cloud-based solutions necessitates expertise in cloud infrastructure management, deployment, and maintenance. Graduates with knowledge of platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud will be highly sought after. Besides this, data science and analytics will be the next areas that will see increased hiring as the ability to interpret vast amounts of data to drive business decisions has become crucial. Companies will seek graduates proficient in data mining, statistical analysis, and data visualisation techniques. Similarly, Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become increasingly prevalent and there will be a demand for professionals who can develop and manage interconnected systems and ensure seamless integration with existing technologies,” Jackson Johnson, senior manager, Global Talent Acquisition, Silicon Labs.
He also adds that despite the emergence of different areas for fresher hiring there will always be demand for software development with a focus on agile methodologies, full-stack development, and proficiency in multiple programming languages. “The rise of blockchain for secure and transparent transactions will also drive the need for graduates who understand blockchain architecture and can develop decentralized applications,” said Johnson.
However, experts feel that challenges remain, such as the skills gap between academic knowledge and practical industry requirements.
Bridging this gap requires collaboration between education and the IT industry to align curricula with real-world needs. “The onboarding process for remote workers poses another challenge, necessitating robust virtual programs for smooth integration. Additionally, the competitive IT sector demands companies offer attractive compensation, career development, and positive work environments to attract top talent,” remarked Johnson.