Backpacks & Paychecks: Why Indian Pros Are Hitting the Books Again

India is experiencing an upskilling boom as experts from every industry are going back to learning to remain competitive in a more dynamic work environment. As per the Upskilling Trends Report 2024-25, 85% of Indian professionals will be spending on upskilling this year with data science, AI, and machine learning being the most sought-after subjects. The boom is driven by decreasing job retention confidence—at 62%, compared to 71%—in the wake of technology shocks and economic instability.

 

Key Highlights:

 

New graduates are particularly at risk, being only 29% certain of their jobs, and so 83% of new recruits upskill.

 

Even the veteran experts are not behind, with 92% of them admitting the need to enhance their skills.

 

Top cities: Bangalore and Chennai lead, with 87% of the experts investing in upskilling.

 

Motivations: Career growth, obsolescence prevention, and meeting employer requirements.

 

Challenges: Workload, financial constraints, and family commitments are still challenges.

 

Prospects: With digitalization and AI gaining momentum, lifelong learning is the solution for Indian professionals to ensure their employment in the new work culture and thrive

 

Source: Economic Times, Indian Express