A recent report from TeamLease Edtech forecasts a promising job market for fresh graduates in India. According to their ‘Career Outlook Report HY2 (July – December 2024),’ 72% of Indian employers intend to hire freshers in the latter half of the year. This figure represents a 4% increase from earlier in 2024 and a 7% rise compared to the same period in 2023, indicating a robust and growing confidence in the economy.

The report, which surveyed 603 companies nationwide, highlights e-commerce and technology start-ups (61%), engineering and infrastructure (59%), and retail (54%) as the sectors most actively seeking new talent. Geographically, Bengaluru tops the list with a 74% hiring intent, followed by Mumbai at 60% and Chennai at 54%, positioning these cities as key hubs for emerging professionals.

Shantanu Rooj, founder and CEO of TeamLease Edtech, remarked on the findings, “The rise in hiring intentions for freshers is a positive development, reflecting increasing employer confidence and creating valuable opportunities for new entrants into the job market.”

The study also identifies the most in-demand roles, including full-stack developers, SEO executives, digital sales associates, and UI/UX designers. Skills in cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, and search engine optimisation are particularly sought after, highlighting the evolving needs of the job market.

Additionally, the report underscores the importance of strengthening industry-academia partnerships, with 70% of respondents advocating for curriculum improvements that integrate experiential learning. Another 62% called for closer collaboration between academic institutions and industries to better align training with practical requirements.

In terms of apprenticeships, the manufacturing sector is leading, with 25% of employers planning to hire degree apprentices. This is followed by engineering and infrastructure at 19% and construction and real estate at 11%. Bengaluru is once again at the forefront of apprenticeship hiring intent with 25%, followed by Chennai at 21% and Mumbai at 16%.

Rooj highlighted the significance of these trends, stating, “The growing recognition of the need for stronger industry-academia partnerships and the steady demand for degree apprenticeships mark a significant shift towards practical, hands-on learning. This is an exciting time for both freshers and employers as we work to bridge the gap between education and industry needs.”

As the second half of 2024 progresses, the positive hiring outlook offers fresh graduates numerous opportunities across various industries and regions in India.