Skill deficit, not technical knowledge, hits engineering jobs: experts

Engineering graduates in India face employability challenges due to weak math, logic and communication skills rather than a lack of technical knowledge, according to industry experts at the Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association. They also point to a massive oversupply driven by an overdependence on the IT sector, which employs 65-70 lakh people but hires only 2-3 lakh annually. Bipin Pendyala, HYSEA president, said companies must train fresh graduates and urged students to explore defence, infrastructure and manufacturing instead.

Some experts blamed an outdated curriculum that has failed to evolve for over two decades. Manan Sharma, a senior HR professional, said less than 20% of engineering graduates were employable in 2004 and the situation remains unchanged, while countries like Singapore and China emphasise emerging technologies and have driven innovation and patents. He argued that governance failing to update syllabi, not student quality, is the root cause.

Both sets of experts agreed that engineering institutions must regularly seek industry input and that students should gain practical exposure from their first year rather than rely solely on internships, since industry cannot accommodate all graduates.