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Economy
Mahesh

20/02/24 09:17 AM IST

Engineering graduates are steering the service industry

In News
  • In a rapidly evolving global economy, the services sector has emerged as a significant player, contributing 53% of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) versus the 28% of the industry sector.
Skilled manpower
  • According to Statistica, only 57% of engineering graduates are employable. An All India Council for Technical Education commissioned report highlighted that less than 60% of available engineering seats have enrolment.
  • Another industry report claims that about 80% of graduate engineers end up in a non-technical job which is unrelated to their field of education.
  • Over the last decade, a large number of engineers are employed in non-technical sectors such as banking, insurance, hospitality, health care and retail across a variety of roles such as sales, customer service, back office operations, logistics and supply chain management.
Employment generation
  • Engineers are increasingly finding employment not solely based on a precise match of skills but due to the adaptability and problem-solving mindset ingrained in their education.
  • Employers, who are faced with a dynamic market, are recognising the transferability of engineering skills, even if the roles themselves are not conventionally engineering-centric.
  • Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, innovation, dealing with ambiguity, adaptability and flexibility are some of the most relevant skills required to succeed in these modern organisations.
  • The analytical prowess, problem-solving abilities, and structured thinking ingrained in engineering graduates make them highly sought-after in sectors that may not traditionally be perceived to be engineering-centric.
  • The rising prominence of the services sector has opened avenues for these professionals to be gainfully employed in white-collar jobs.
Need for Generic course
  • This trend prompts a critical reflection on the evolving nature of job markets and the role of education in preparing graduates for a diverse array of professional challenges.
  • As engineers seamlessly transition into roles such as sales, customer service and finance across a wide variety of sectors, it becomes imperative for the educational ecosystem to evolve and address this need from the service industry, and recalibrate their approach towards curriculum design and pedagogy.
  • Services are consuming engineers, and to some extent management graduates/postgraduates, into entry-level jobs.
  • Rather than focusing on bridging the gap between existing engineering education and job demand, there is a pressing need to develop generic services-oriented courses that can equip students to thrive in white-collar service environments.
  • Just as an engineering education equips the student with the basic skills to find a vocation in an industrial setup, we need an equivalent services skill education that instils the necessary competencies to excel in the service-oriented landscape.
  • Such a course can offer a holistic blend of technical proficiency, soft skills, and industry-specific knowledge essential for success in service-centric roles.
  • These courses should not only emphasise technical proficiency but also cultivate soft skills, business acumen, and industry-specific knowledge that are essential for success in the service sector.
  • By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of things (IoT) into the curriculum, these programmes can enhance students’ employability, particularly in emerging sectors such as fintech and edutech.
  • Such a course would foster a cadre of professionals adept at navigating the complexities of modern service-oriented industries, with skills around process reengineering, problem solving and client management.
  • Structured around a diverse curriculum, this course could encompass essential subjects and skills tailored to meet the demands of today’s dynamic service landscape.
  • Professionals enrolled in this course would gain a solid foundation in service delivery fundamentals, covering core sector overview and nuances of service delivery in a physical as well as digital environment.
  • An emphasis on client management, communication skills and ethical conduct would foster a culture of professionalism and integrity among professionals, crucial to build strong client relationships and maintain trust in service-oriented roles.
Way forward
  • The introduction of such a course — let us call it “service engineering” — holds transformative potential, offering a pathway to enhanced employability, improved service delivery, and sustained economic growth.
  • Graduates would emerge as highly sought-after professionals, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to excel in white-collar service environments across a variety of industries.
  • Moreover, the affordability and accessibility of service engineering courses would make them an attractive option for students from tier 2 and 3 cities.
  • The recent Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 7 reported the women’s participation in the workforce to be 37%.
  • Since services typically offer better flexibility to employees, such a course can also help enable a supportive environment for women to balance work and family commitments while contributing to the workforce.
  • Unlike conventional engineering programmes that require extensive hard infrastructure, service engineering courses would leverage digital platforms and virtual learning environments, significantly reducing costs and eliminating geographical barriers to education.
  • This democratisation of education not only fosters inclusivity but also unleashes the potential of aspiring professionals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to India’s burgeoning services-driven economy.
  • By investing in the development of a skilled workforce tailored to the needs of the services sector, India can position itself as a global leader in service innovation and delivery, driving prosperity and competitiveness in the services-driven economy of the future.
Source- The Hindu

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