Employers look for ‘project readiness’, skills over degrees, writes TeamLease founder

Employers look for ‘project readiness’, skills over degrees, writes TeamLease founder

With only 40-45% engineering graduates employable, India must shift from degree-focused to skill-based education, writes TeamLease Edtech CEO Shantanu Rooj.

In India, nearly 1.5 million students graduate as engineers annually, yet the employability in core technical roles remains a serious concern. According to AICTE and NASSCOM, only 40-45% of engineering graduates are considered employable in their field of study.

The challenge is even more acute in Tier 2 and Tier 3 institutions, as well as in underserved regions where access to updated curriculum and infrastructure is limited. A 2024 analysis by TeamLease EdTech highlights high industry demand in areas like data science, AI/ML, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and embedded systems.

But this demand isn’t translating into jobs because of a persistent skills gap between what the degree imparts and what the job requires.

Degrees to skills: Market-driven shift

The hiring landscape is rapidly evolving. Today, employers value project readiness, digital fluency, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world contexts far more than academic grades.

The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2027, 44% of core job skills will change, underlining the importance of continuous skilling throughout higher education. For students, this means that employability can no longer hinge on a degree alone.

A paper credential without the skills to match is simply not enough. Applied learning, problem-solving, and exposure to workplace tools and methodologies are now critical markers of readiness.

New-age programmes

Premier academic institutions are stepping up to bridge the employability divide. TeamLease EdTech has partnered with IIT Delhi, IIT Patna, IIT Bhilai, IIM Udaipur and other top-tier institutes to develop online and executive education programmes that respond directly to industry needs.

Programmes include AI Application in Healthcare with IIT Delhi, Cloud Computing and Big Data with IIT Patna, and Digital Marketing and NeuroMarketing with IIT Jammu. For senior professionals, IIM Udaipur offers a targeted Senior Management Programme.

Work-integrated degrees, launched with various institutional partners, combine academic instruction with practical work exposure. These programmes are flexible, blended, and experiential, designed to allow learners to upgrade their skills without leaving the workforce.

The result – a more industry-aligned graduate who is better equipped to contribute from day one.

Employability in degree courses

Across the country, more universities are adopting a new approach to embed employability into degree programmes.

Institutions like Andhra University, Chandigarh University, Mizoram University, and Bangalore University are integrating skilling modules, apprenticeships, and placement-linked certifications into the traditional degree structure.

One particularly promising trend is the rise of degree apprenticeships, a model that combines classroom education with paid, hands-on job experience. This model, endorsed by UGC, MSDE, and AI