There is still a sizable disparity between the quantity of engineering graduates and their employment, even though India is known as a global powerhouse for engineering expertise. The gap is a major obstacle to the country’s economic development and technological progress.
Every year, India generates an astounding 1.5 million engineering graduates, yet very few of them find work. Only 45% of engineering graduates are employable, despite over 60% of them fulfilling industry norms. In addition, only ten percent of the 1.5 million engineers who are set to graduate this fiscal year are predicted to find jobs, according to a TeamLease report. It stated that the skills gap among engineering graduates is the main cause.
“Engineering has long been a cornerstone of India’s development, emerging as one of the most preferred career choices, shaping the nation’s innovation, infrastructure, and progress. As we celebrate National Engineering Day, honoring the critical contributions of engineers in driving the country’s growth, India proudly stands as a leader in producing engineering talent, with nearly 1.5 engineers graduating annually. However, despite this impressive output, the employability of our engineering graduates remains a significant challenge,” said a report.
According to NASSCOM’s projections, throughout the next two to three years, the Indian technology sector will require over a million engineers with advanced skills in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, by 2028, the difference between the supply and demand for digital talent is expected to increase from the present 25% to about 30%. The growing need, driven by the development of artificial intelligence (AI), EVs, semiconductors, and the expanding electronics sector, highlights a significant issue with relation to engineering graduates’ employability.
The growing need from industry for proficiency in fields like cybersecurity, IT, robotics, and data science makes it clear that traditional university education is insufficient on its own.
In order to close this skills gap, technical education and practical vocational training must be combined.
“Apprenticeships bridge this gap by offering structured, hands-on training alongside formal education, ensuring that young professionals are work-ready from day one. With real-world experience and mentorship, apprentices can develop the critical skills required to meet the growing demands of the industry, a win-win for both professionals and companies,” said Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, Vice President and Chief Business Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship.
