Skilled employees will become the torchbearers of organizational success: Harish Krishnan, Cisco

It is now a known fact that ups killing and re-skilling is the most pertinent initiative that needs to be undertaken by anyone who wishes to keep up with the evolving IT industry.  There is an imperative meed for Indian companies to introduce reskilling initiatives as various surveys have stated that there is a shortage of skilled employees in India. A recent report by Amazon Web Services (AWS) found that only 12% of India’s total workforce is digitally skilled. Along the same lines, Harish Krishnan, managing director and chief policy officer, Cisco India and SAARC recently spoke to Dataquest about the skills gap in India, and how Cisco dealing with the issue.

DQ: There are so many courses being offered in emerging technologies. Why is there still a skills gap?

Harish Krishnan: Over the last decade, especially in the last two years, we have witnessed digitization taking over every aspect of our life. Industry 4.0 technologies and innovations are now a reality across sectors. According to Mckinsey, by 2025, more than 50 billion devices will be connected to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). However, this momentum has not only transformed business models and operations but also altered the skill requirements for employees, as well as for aspirants looking for jobs. Talent no longer means just a college degree as it did a couple of years ago – organizations today are looking for lifelong learners who are at par with relevant skills. More and more companies are going borderless, hiring diverse, technically skilled talent who can be productive and innovative from anywhere.

According to a recent report by NASSCOM, India is projected to face a shortage of 14 -19 lakh tech professionals by 2026. To address the skill gap, many organizations are offering specialized courses on emerging technologies to students and existing employees. However, the advent and evolution of these technologies are moving faster than the expertise needed to cope with them. In this ever-changing, fast-paced environment, skills gaps can become much wider, faster than ever before. As we traverse through the digital-first world, it will be all about 'superskilling.' Therefore, to make the most of the digitally connected world, organizations must implement a culture of continuous learning and upskill existing teams on critical IT skills. As a result, Cisco Networking Academy provides in-demand digital skills such as Networking, OS & IT, Programming, IoT, Infrastructure Automation, and Cybersecurity and has trained over 10,00,000 learners since its inception. India's burgeoning youth presents a considerable opportunity. By addressing the looming skill gaps, the country can achieve its vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy and a global digital superpower.

DQ: What is needed in terms of changes in curriculum as far as the Indian education system is concerned?

Harish Krishnan: Hearteningly, the Indian education system has already been working towards reforming its existing education model. To keep pace with the accelerated digital transformation, we should introduce a curriculum that keeps abreast with the changing times while preparing students for the unprecedented future. According to a survey by Sattva Consulting, 88% of students were interested in innovating for social good using emerging technologies. I truly believe a foundation of creativity and entrepreneurship can be laid out for students to ideate and innovate. The concept of design thinking and go-to-market strategy should also be inculcated through the education system. Beyond the world of entrepreneurship and jobs, these skill sets will allow students to grapple better with day-to-day challenges.  

Moreover, smart education calls for smart educators. We need business leaders and entrepreneurs mentoring and sharing real-life experiences with students in order to prepare them for the jobs of the future. Most importantly, schools and universities must embrace and embed technology to enhance the learning experience and make it accessible for all. India has the third-largest higher education system in the world. However, affordable access to higher education remains a concern, and the pandemic has exacerbated the digital divide. The existing teaching methods can be limited to bridging the gap between student learning levels and the levels of skills and teaching. 

At Cisco, we have been working with Quest Alliance, a not-for-profit trust that works extensively with the state employment and training departments, ITI Administrators, faculties, and students across the country. We aim to reach the ITI ecosystem through critical employability skills, and in the last five years, we have successfully reached over 74,000 students. Additionally, with our innovative learning and mentoring programs – Cisco ThingQbator and Cisco Networking Academy, our vision is to empower everyone irrespective of geography with career possibilities by transforming the lives of learners and educators through the power of technology, skills, and career opportunities. We innovate with our instructors and education partners, who share our commitment to powering an inclusive future for all. While Networking Academy is a powerful skills-to-jobs program that helps students develop in-demand industry skills, connects them with peers and mentors, and prepares them for real jobs. Through our ThingQbator programme we collaborate with various universities to identify and mentor young minds in shaping their entrepreneurial aspirations.

DQ: The pandemic has been both a boon and bane for job seekers across the country. What is the learning that needs to be taken from this?

Harish Krishnan: The last two years have been disruptive for individuals and professionals, but they've also been transformational – as it showed us how resilient we are as humans. It didn't take us long to get accustomed to the new ways of the world, giving rise to an entrepreneurial mindset, new business models, a hybrid workforce, and other employment opportunities across sectors. We've learnt that work styles and preferences are different for everyone. Therefore, organizations have to be flexible, adaptable, and open to what works best for each individual and team. 

One of the most significant shifts in this evolution has been the acceptance among organizations that employee well-being, learning, and development are key functions instead of just an attachment to Human Resources. Most importantly, many companies are now reassessing their existence and how they can make an impact beyond profit – they are reimagining the purpose they serve in the world. 

DQ: An industry-academia ecosystem is pertinent to help innovators in the country showcase their talent. So what needs to be done to ensure more such collaborations?

Harish Krishnan: Collaboration between industry and academia is key to catalyzing innovation and technology growth. It helps in advancing research and generating a skilled, industry-ready workforce. It can play a significant role in creating a generation of job creators than just job seekers.

To ensure more industry-academia collaborations, universities need to play a proactive role and redefine their mission. Universities should make the most of networking and involve people with managerial skills to attract industry partners. On the other hand, organizations should provide opportunities for designing research modules, real-life projects, and mentorship to the students. 

Today, many large conglomerates have set up incubation centres and makerspaces in universities where students can innovate, create prototypes, and test those in real-life situations. These incubators not only provide mentorship but financial support to ideas that can truly make an impact. An industry-academic ecosystem can go a long way in fostering a community of young learners and entrepreneurs by providing them a platform to imbibe and shape their innovations into success stories.

DQ: What are some of the initiatives that you have taken up with the Indian Government?

Harish Krishnan: At Cisco, we truly believe India has the appetite and potential to meet the future talent demands of the world and can become the worldwide sourcing hub for a skilled workforce. In India, we have partnered with institutions and industry bodies such as AICTE, NSDC, and NASSCOM to provide comprehensive digital skills to the youth. We have rolled out a Virtual Cybersecurity Internship Program with AICTE & NASSCOM, and in phase one of the program, over 26,000 people registered, of which almost 20,000 were shortlisted. On the other hand, to empower more women entrepreneurs in the country, we partnered with NITI Aayog to launch the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP). To champion employability skills training and to influence the same at a systemic level, Cisco is also part of The Future Right Skills Network. The network works with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to upgrade technical and vocational training ecosystems through research and technology-led learning and training models.

Additionally, along with in-demand digital skills, Cisco Network Academy offers courses to help develop foundational Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills needed to design, build, and manage networks and soft skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking. The program is available to those as young as 13 years old, those pursuing higher education, and seeking a new career path. These courses prepare candidates for real-time ICT jobs and help them pursue additional training and education. Our vision is to skill one million students by 2025 in technologies such as AI, ML, and IoT. 

Lastly, under our India CSR program, Cisco works with several non-profit organizations that provide digital and employability skills to women, armed forces veterans, differently-abled, and underserved communities. We have worked with NIIT Foundation, Tata Trusts, Anudip Foundation, Quest Alliance, among others, to train thousands of people across different investments.

DQ: Anything else that you would like to add

Harish Krishnan: The accelerated digital transformation has enabled industries to reimagine trends, consumer interactions, and experiences and explore new ways of working. Assess, upskill and reskill should be the mantra of the hour. It should be a priority from both an employer and employee perspective. As business models and technology evolve, employees equipped with the necessary skill sets will become the torchbearers of organizational success.