Education & Career Trends: September 18, 2024
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Excerpts are taken from an article published on timesofindia.com.
In India, fresh engineering graduates must now offer more than a basic B.Tech degree to attract employers. Companies prioritise candidates with skills in emerging technologies or real-world experience, leading to higher salaries.
Universities are adapting by offering specialised training and internships to align with industry needs.
The Changing Landscape for Engineering Graduates
As noted in a recent Economic Times report, companies are searching for graduates who can bring more to the table than a “vanilla” B.Tech degree. According to the report, recruiters are now competing for candidates with “extra” skills—whether it’s expertise in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), or hands-on experience from apprenticeships and internships.
This growing demand for specialised skills has led to noticeable salary differences. According to staffing firm TeamLease, while salaries for standard B.Tech graduates have remained stagnant, those with additional training in cutting-edge technologies can expect a significant pay bump. Graduates who have pursued these extra qualifications are seeing up to a 10% higher starting salary.
Salary Differences: Standard B.Tech vs. Skilled Graduates
The numbers are telling: fresh engineering graduates with a basic degree typically earn between ₹3.8-4.5 lakh annually. However, those with specialised skills in fields like data science, cybersecurity, or AI can earn as much as ₹7-10 lakh per year. This can sometimes translate to salaries 100% higher than those offered to standard graduates.
Krishna Vij, Business Head of IT staffing at TeamLease Digital, noted that those who have actively sought out internships or gained expertise in new technologies are not only being hired faster but are also commanding higher salaries.
How Campuses Reflect the Shift
To meet the changing demands of employers, universities are updating their curriculums. Campuses are abuzz with companies seeking out graduates who are not just knowledgeable but have practical experience, says Harish Kumar, head of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the National Institute of Technology, Delhi.
Students who have completed internships of 6 to 12 months, undergone specialised training, or tackled real-world problems in areas like AI/ML, data science, and cybersecurity are highly sought after. Companies are offering these graduates salaries that can be 75% to 150% higher than those without such exposure.
Specific Skills, Higher Demand
Skills in specific domains are particularly valuable. At Amity University, for example, students with cloud computing skills, such as AWS, service management tools like ServiceNow, and those trained in cybersecurity are seeing a surge in recruitment offers. Anjani Bhatnagar, the technical placement head at Amity, reported that students with a B.Tech in cybersecurity are securing packages exceeding ₹15 lakh, compared to the ₹6-6.5 lakh offered to general B.Tech graduates.
At SRM Institute of Science and Technology, there has been a sharp increase in recruitment from global capability centres looking for graduates trained in new technologies. N Venkata Sastry, Career Centre Director at SRM, highlighted that these specialised skills are a “clear differentiator” when it comes to employability and salary.
The Growing Role of Apprenticeships
Another major trend driving this shift is the rise of apprenticeships. According to data from staffing firms like Xpheno and Quess, IT companies are increasingly hiring apprentices to reduce costs and build a more skilled talent pool. In fact, Quess IT Staffing’s Deputy CEO, Kapil Joshi, reported a 10x increase in apprenticeship hiring by IT firms in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Salary Stagnation for Standard Degrees
Despite the rapid changes, the salary for standard engineering graduates remains relatively flat. According to Xpheno’s research, the average salary for fresh engineers has only seen a marginal increase over the last decade, from ₹3-3.4 lakh annually in 2013-14 to ₹3.8-4.5 lakh in 2023-24.
Prasadh M S, head of workforce research at Xpheno, noted that salaries for standard graduates have stagnated, with the most common offers falling between ₹3.8 and ₹4.5 lakh per year. In some cases, offers are even dropping below ₹3.5 lakh.
The ‘Big Message’ for Engineering Graduates
For today’s engineering graduates, the message is clear: a basic B.Tech degree is no longer enough. In a rapidly evolving job market, equipping yourself with in-demand skills like AI, cybersecurity, or cloud computing—or gaining real-world experience through internships and apprenticeships—can significantly boost your earning potential and job prospects.
So, don’t settle for the basics. Take the extra steps to gain specialised skills and practical experience, and stand out from the crowd.
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(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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