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We have witnessed tremendous changes across industries and the job market in the past few years due to the emergence of new technologies at breakneck speeds, a radical change in how we work, the global economic crisis, and geopolitical shifts. The engineering sector in India has also experienced a considerable share of transformation. These changes compel us to question what the future holds for aspiring professionals and what contributions they can make to shape the sector’s future.
Taggd, an organization that has always believed in staying ahead with the correct data and insights into the job market, had an exclusive and enriching conversation about the future of engineering and opportunities on Career Circles Live with Ms. Shillpa S. Chabria, Director, HR, OSHE, Administration & CSR, Thyssenkrupp Industries, India.
The Future of Engineering in India
With growing focus on manufacturing in India and a growing shift towards Industry 4.0, India will continue strengthening its position as the backbone of the global engineering industry. The Indian ER&D market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12-13% and reach a valuation of nearly $63 billion by 2025, doubling from nearly $31 billion in 2019.
“The changing global outlook and the realization of the risks associated with over-dependency on a single country have opened up numerous opportunities for India. Countries have recognized the need to diversify and collaborate with India.”, shares Shilpa.
India’s engineering sector has seen a strong influx of contracts and FDI, driving its growth. This is accelerated by the country’s booming startup market, resilient economy, and technological adaptability. These factors ensure that engineering and tech remain at the core of India’s economic success, generating infrastructure investments, job opportunities for engineers and a prosperous future ahead.
Emerging Skills in the Sector
Taggd has always been committed to providing candidates with a better understanding of the changing job landscape by compiling the annual Decoding Jobs Sectoral Report, where skills in demand is a crucial segment.
During our conversation, Shillpa opined that core mechanical and electrical skills would always be in demand, even amidst more multidisciplinary skills like mechatronics or data analytics. As young engineers and professionals enter the world of engineering, they should also consider pursuing a combination of core skills and add-on skills to increase their value.
The add-ons could include analytics, digital solutions, and IoT. It is also essential to have an ESG mindset to work on sustainable products that positively impact the environment, as India has taken 2050 as a target for net-zero emissions. Therefore, digitalization, business analytics and ESG should be a priority for young engineers entering the field.
However, professionals need more than core skills to make a mark in this sector. Soft skills are equally crucial for professionals in this sector. Shillpa Chabria says that value alignment, communication, interpersonal skills, a learning mindset and resilience are key characteristics that the Thyssenkrupp looks for.
These traits should be nurtured from an early age and enhanced during education. Other crucial soft skills that candidates need to have are business communication, collaboration, and humility. Engineering professionals should also be resilient to work in remote locations without letting the challenges overcome them.
Experiential Learning Vs. Conceptual Learning
Professionals looking to enter the sector often ask which is more critical — earning certifications or gaining experience? The answer is both, shares Shilpa.
“Training can only teach you the right way to do it, but the experience will show you how to use that knowledge.”
When choosing certifications, professionals must ensure they are relevant and applicable to the role to learn and retain the knowledge effectively.
Opportunities at Thyssenkrupp
Thyssenkrupp Group has grown tremendously in the last two to three years, even during COVID. This is a result of the collective efforts of the team. The government’s investment in infrastructure and private sector expansion means more business opportunities for industrial solutions companies like Thyssenkrupp. Therefore, retaining and developing talent is essential for the company. They also want to bring in young engineering talent and people with diverse sector experience.
“Although having prior experience in the industry is crucial, we’re not shying away from bringing in people from different sectors. This would give us a different perspective.”
Thyssenkrupp’s Way of Hiring
Thyssenkrupp has a straightforward approach to hiring, which involves three people, often meeting together as a panel. The HR team handles all the HR-related components while the other two members from the business team evaluate technical capabilities and how suitable the candidate is for the organization. This process helps understand if the candidate is skilled, able to articulate their skills and demonstrate resilience. It ensures that the process is efficient and manageable.
What Sets Thyssenkrupp Apart?
Thyssenkrupp is taking the initiative to bring more women on board for tasks such as quality assurance to ensure that women can contribute to the projects at remote locations.
“I wish that more and more women employees would come to the site of the heavy engineering organization and be amazed by the sight of these huge structures. Seeing them can be quite an exhilarating experience!”
They are also building a workplace where all generations can feel comfortable and develop their skills. The organization is also looking to expand across India, aiming for a diverse workforce that can work together.
The engineering sector in India is a vast pool of potential for those willing to work hard and seize the opportunities available. With ThyssenKrupp providing career-boosting job opportunities and Taggd’s Career Circles Live offering essential insights into the job market across several Industries, aspiring engineers in India can indeed excel in this dynamic environment.
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