The recently released ‘Career Outlook Report HY2 (July – December 2024) by TeamLease EdTeach revealed that 72% of employers intend to hire freshers in the coming months. The report, based on a survey of over 603 companies across India, indicates a positive trend in the job market for new graduates.
The 72% hiring intent represents a 4% increase from the previous half-year and a 7% rise compared to the same period in 2023, suggesting a gradually improving employment landscape for fresh talent. “The increase in hiring intent for freshers is an encouraging sign. It reflects growing confidence among employers and presents valuable opportunities for fresh talent entering the workforce,” said Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease EdTech.
The report highlights that E-commerce & Technology Start-ups, Engineering & Infrastructure, and Retail are the top three industries showing intent to hire freshers, with 61%, 59%, and 54% of employers in these sectors planning to recruit, respectively. Geographically, Bangalore leads with 74% of employers intending to hire freshers, followed by Mumbai at 60% and Chennai at 54%.
In terms of job roles, Full Stack Developer, SEO Executive, Digital Sales Associate, and UI/UX Designer have emerged as the most in-demand positions for freshers. Employers are particularly seeking candidates with skills in Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, and Search Engine Optimization. The report also sheds light on the growing importance of industry-academia collaboration. 70% of employers suggest enhancing curriculum with experiential learning, while 62% advocate for industry-academia partnerships to better align academic training with industry needs. Additionally, degree apprenticeships continue to depict stable demand. Manufacturing leads with 25% of employers planning to hire degree apprentices, followed by Engineering & Infrastructure at 19%, and Construction & Real Estate at 11%. Among cities, Bangalore shows the highest intent to hire apprentices at 25%, followed by Chennai at 21% and Mumbai at 16%.
“Aligning educational programs with industry requirements is crucial,” added Shantanu. “The job market is evolving rapidly, with technology and digital skills taking center stage. We’re seeing a clear demand for roles that blend technical expertise with creative problem-solving. The real game-changer is the growing recognition of the need for stronger industry-academia partnerships. The steady demand for degree apprenticeships further underscores this shift towards practical, hands-on learning. It’s an exciting time for both freshers and employers as we bridge the gap between education and industry requirements”.
Jaideep Kewalramani, Head of Employability Business and COO, TeamLease Edtech, shared, “The 7% rise compared to the Jul-Dec, 2023 in fresher hiring intent, coupled with growing demand across diverse sectors, signals a robust job market recovery. For graduates, this means focusing on in-demand digital skills and embracing varied learning experiences can significantly boost their career prospects in this evolving landscape”.
