Recruiters bet on non-tech space as IT in slow lane

While most players operating in skilling space are focused on computer science and IT streams, streams like civil and mechanical engineering are usually neglected. We are focussing on those streams, so that engineering students can get gainful employment -- Rajiv Krishnan, MD & CEO, Ma Foi Strategic Consultants, tells Bizz Buzz

Bengaluru: Indian upskilling and training service providers are focussing on tier-II and tier-III cities as they seek to tap a market, which remains relatively underpenetrated.

According to training services providers, companies operating in this space are trying to upskill students in not only engineering streams, even they are tapping management, polytechnic, arts and science graduates in small cities.

“While most players operating in skilling space are focused on computer science and IT streams, streams like civil and mechanical engineering are usually neglected. We are focussing on these streams, so that engineering students can get gainful employment,” Rajiv Krishnan, MD & CEO of Ma Foi Strategic Consultants, told Bizz Buzz.

Though technology hiring remains tepid, hiring in other sectors of the economy including banking and financial services, retail and manufacturing remain robust. Training providers are looking at skilling graduates in relevant skills in these sectors.

“We are also focussing on relatively untapped areas like management schools in tier-II & III cities, polytechnic students, and graduates from arts and science streams. These are the streams where massive skilling initiatives are required,” he added.

Ma Foi Strategic Consultants has started this student upskilling programme last year and received sound response so far from educational institutions across the country.

According to the company, though the vertical is relatively new, it is likely to significantly contribute towards its top line in the coming quarters.

“We have designed our course modules as per the demand of the market. It encompasses both theoretical and practical knowledge to be job-ready,” he said.

The company also provides training professionals to educational institutions for enabling physical training facilities. “Educational institutions like engineering colleges ask for providing training executives for upskilling programme. We have professionals, who visit campuses for such training programmes,” Krishnan said.

Currently, most educational institutions across India are training their students in various skillsets for making them job-ready. These efforts have accelerated owing to tight job market amid slowdown in technology industry and startup space.

Engineering campuses are facing the heat as many IT companies are hiring engineering graduates in small numbers. After record hiring of engineers in the post pandemic period, hiring came to a grinding halt last year. Things are looking up in the current year as many experts see some improvement in hiring of freshers.