HYSEA and HR Experts Flag Skill Gaps and IT Oversupply Among Engineering Graduates

Industry experts in Hyderabad have identified weak mathematical, analytical, and communication skills, alongside an overdependence on the IT sector, as primary drivers behind the ongoing employability challenges faced by engineering graduates.

According to industry representatives, the issue is not fundamentally a lack of technical knowledge, but rather a massive oversupply of graduates focused solely on software roles. Bipin Pendyala, president of the Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA), noted that while the national IT sector employs approximately 65 to 70 lakh people, it hires only about 2 to 3 lakh individuals annually, including lateral job switches.

Pendyala stated that ready-made talent is unavailable globally and that companies have always trained fresh hires. However, the heavy preference for IT careers has created imbalances across other engineering fields. He pointed out that infrastructure firms face difficulties finding qualified civil engineers even as road and rail projects expand, while sectors such as defence, manufacturing, and banking offer untapped opportunities.

Highlighting changing industry requirements, Pendyala said companies increasingly seek multidisciplinary talent and assess a candidate's curiosity and ability to learn new skills. He added that it has become challenging to find suitable hires due to issues such as self-awareness and inflated expectations among some applicants.

Other industry observers highlighted institutional and governance gaps. Manan Sharma, a senior HR professional, noted that less than 20% of engineering graduates were considered employable two decades ago and argued that the situation remains largely unchanged due to outdated college curricula that fail to keep pace with rapid technological shifts, such as the emergence of artificial intelligence.

Sharma contrasted India's low volume of institutional patents with countries such as China and Singapore, which place a strong focus on modern curriculum development and emerging technologies.

To address the gap, experts recommended that engineering colleges consult regularly with industry bodies to align coursework with current market demands. They also advised that students be encouraged to pursue practical exposure starting from their first year of study, noting that industry cannot accommodate all students through internships alone.