Essential Skills for Indian Software Engineers: Upskilling & Reskilling

New Delhi (India), June 13: The fast-paced digital world has transformed how businesses operate, communicate, and serve customers. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the need for digital adoption and forced companies to embrace new technologies rapidly. 

The primary skills of software engineers are in high demand due to their technical expertise. However, the skill gap remains a significant challenge for the Indian IT industry. And, in today’s digitized world, upskilling and reskilling initiatives are crucial to bridge this gap to bag lucrative software engineering jobs.

What is Upskilling & Reskilling?

Upskilling is a technique for acquiring new skills while improving existing ones in the current field. It is also a way to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry trends. On the other hand, reskilling refers to learning new skills to switch to a new career path or industry that involves learning new skills that are outside the purview of an employee’s current job.

Why is Upskilling and Reskilling Important?

Technological advancements and changing business needs have created a high demand for upskilling and reskilling. According to a recent report by McKinsey, “One in 16 workers may have to switch occupations by 2030. That’s more than 100 million workers across the eight economies studied—and the pandemic accelerated expected workforce transitions.” 

As a result, the Indian IT industry will see a sharp rise in the demand for skilled professionals. However, there is a significant gap between the skills of the current workforce and the skills required. Hence, upskilling and reskilling initiatives are necessary to fill this gap while ensuring that Indian software engineers remain relevant in the future.

Software Engineer Skills: Upskilling and Reskilling Opportunities for Indian Software Engineers

With the increasing demand for expertise in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and big data, software engineers must continuously update their skills to meet these demands. Let’s take a look at the skills required for software engineers. 

1.     Online courses and certifications

Online courses and certifications are a great way to upskill or reskill flexibly and cost-effectively. Many online educational platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer courses and certifications in numerous technological fields, providing learners with the latest knowledge and skills required to stay ahead in the industry.

2.    Bootcamps and immersive learning programs

Bootcamps and immersive learning programs focus on hands-on learning and real-world projects, providing intensive training to provide software developer jobs. These programs are designed to quickly upskill or reskill individuals in a specific technology field. For example, in India, several boot camps and immersive learning programs like Imarticus Learning, Coding Ninjas, and GreyAtom offer training in data science, artificial intelligence, and full-stack development.

3.    Industry certifications

Industry certifications are globally recognized certifications that demonstrate an individual's proficiency in a specific technology or field. Companies often require these certifications for particular job roles, and they can significantly enhance an individual's employability. For example, popular industry certifications for software engineers include AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified Azure Developer, and Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect.

4.   Corporate training programs

In India, many companies offer in-house training programs to upskill or reskill their employees. The program is tailored to the specific needs of the company and equips employees with the necessary skills to work on new projects or technologies. For instance, TCS's training program, Ignite, focuses on upskilling its employees in various digital technologies like cloud computing, big data, and blockchain.

5.    Government initiatives

The Indian government promotes upskilling and reskilling among the workforce. The Skill India program launched by the Government of India aims to provide training and certification to millions of people in India. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) offers financial assistance and training to individuals to help them earn a better livelihood.

In conclusion, the upskilling and reskilling of Indian software engineers are critical to bridging the skill gap and ensuring that the Indian IT industry remains competitive globally. Furthermore, with the ever-evolving technology landscape, it is essential for professionals to continually upskill and adapt to new technologies. 

In light of the need for upskilling and reskilling in the Indian IT industry, foundit (Formerly Monster APAC & ME) can help by providing a wide range of resources and opportunities for professionals to enhance their skills. They offer courses and training programs in various areas, such as programming languages, data science, and cloud computing. These courses are taught by industry experts and are designed to provide hands-on experience with real-world applications. 

foundit also provides access to various skill tests, which can help professionals gain recognition and credibility in their respective fields. Additionally, they offer career guidance and job search resources to help software engineers find opportunities that align wit

h their skills and career goals. By taking advantage of Foundit's (Formerly Monster)resources, Indian software engineers can stay ahead of the curve and contribute to the growth and success of the IT industry.