Telangana focusing on upskilling, reskilling to increase workforce proficiency amid AI growth, says IT Minister D Sridhar Babu
Hyderabad, August 6
The Telangana government is focusing on reskilling and upskilling the existing workforce to ensure they possess proficiency in job skills required for emerging industries like artificial intelligence and advanced technology sectors, Telangana IT Minister D Sridhar Babu has said.
Speaking to the media after the inauguration of the JLL Business Services Facility in Nanakramguda, the Minister highlighted the state's proactive measures to bridge the persistent gap between academia and industry requirements.
"When AI and other emerging technologies are taking shape, we want the existing skill force that is available, where most of them are doing coding. We want them to reskill and upskill the skill strengths so that they will be having the proficient job skills required for the industries like this," the minister noted.
Sridhar Babu noted that the administration identified key challenges faced by industrial sectors from the beginning of its term. He emphasized the government's efforts to modernize technical education institutions and establish specialized skill hubs to align workforce capabilities with modern industry needs.
"From the day one of our governance, we were able to really find out what the issue is, what the industry is facing. When there is a gap between academia and the industry, we need to bridge the gap," Sridhar Babu said.
"And that's how we started our skills initiatives. We started our Young India Skills University. And on the shop floor, too, we were able to really put all the strength behind ITIs and the polytechnics and make it modernized to live up to the next generation factories," he added.
Addressing the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on traditional high-engineering roles, the minister pointed out that professionals currently focused on basic coding must expand their expertise to remain relevant in evolving tech landscapes.
"In few areas where AI is taking shape, jobs may be going. If somebody is not skilled, properly what the technology wants. If some companies don't do enough and practice enough things for re-skilling and up-skilling their skill force, few people may be losing their jobs," Sridhar Babu stated.
The minister emphasized that despite technological transitions, overall employment in the state expanded significantly, with 1.5 lakh high-value technology jobs created over the past two and a half years.
"We are constantly trying to put our policies on equal straws so that, the white collar jobs and the blue collar jobs go in tandem. And at the same time, the technology leader of the future India, is Hyderabad and the state of Telangana," he remarked.
Sridhar Babu also acknowledged the contribution of corporate partners in driving job creation across the state, specifically praising JLL for aiding the growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
"All the credits, thanks to our JLL partners over here, JLL business team over here, which made it possible. The 40 GCCs in a year's time. This is a clear reflection of how the government is trying to push and encourage the GCCs and trying to increase the employment size for this state and for the young generation who are into the technology side," Sridhar Babu said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but what about the thousands of engineering graduates who are still unemployed? Reskilling existing workforce is fine, but we need to address the fresh graduates too. The academia-industry gap has been a problem for decades and it's not going to be solved overnight. Need more concrete action, not just announcements.
As a student at Young India Skills University, I can vouch for the practical approach they're taking. We're not just learning theory; we're getting hands-on experience with AI and automation tools. This is the kind of forward-thinking education needed to make Telangana a true tech leader! 💪
Kya baat hai! 1.5 lakh high-value jobs in just 2.5 years is impressive. But I worry about the older IT professionals who have been doing the same coding for 15-20 years. Will they be able to adapt? Companies also need to step up, not just the government.
Moved to Hyderabad from the US last year and I'm impressed by the city's tech ecosystem. This focus on reskilling is a smart move. The GCC model is booming here - 40 new ones in a year shows Telangana is on the right track. The future is bright for this region.
The minister is right about the changing nature of jobs. But we need to ensure that this "upskilling" isn't limited to Hyderabad. What about Tier-2 cities like Warangal or Karimnagar? The benefits should reach the entire state, not just the tech hub. Still, good to see proactive thinking!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.