We need to put reskilling on steroids in India: Debjani Ghosh, Nasscom

Jobs in AI, data analytics, cyber security, IOT and robotics are getting created faster than the jobs that are getting displaced. The problem today is that we do not have skilled people to fill these jobs, says Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom. Excerpts from an interview with Rahul Dayama of ETNOW.

What are your views on top companies indicating that digital business will be massive in the coming days?
Absolutely. The transformation is happening over the world and services companies are transforming faster than the rest. The transformation of IT services to more end-to-end platform companies providing overall solutions is already happening.

Were micro challenges faced with such an uncertain environment globally?
Definately. We had said this in the beginning that we are cautiously optimistic about this year. There are many geopolitical issues and that increases uncertainty. However, if you have talent, the world will come to you, it will need your people, it will need your business. The biggest gap today is that there is a tremendous shortage of digital talent all over the world. India has single-mindedly focused on building digital talent as a competitive advantage. We need to ensure we have a talent surplus when it comes to digital skills. With the talent surplus, none of this is going to affect India because people will need the talent and they will come to India when they need it.

With respect to hiring, are there immediate challenges especially with the techology shifts in India?
There is going to be job displacements. Routine jobs will get automated and people will get displaced. At the same time, along with these layoffs, there is job creation in AI, data analytics, cyber security, IOT, robotics and the list is endless. These jobs are getting created faster than the jobs that are getting displaced. The problem today is that we do not have skilled people to fill these jobs. If you look at the job openings in these areas in India, the numbers are mindboggling. So, we really need to put re-skilling on steroids in India.