This year’s HRForecast, pulsing with the insights of 43 industry trailblazers, paints a bold picture: Skills trump degrees.
While it’s true that skills have gained a certain acceptability as a currency in hiring practices, the reality, in my opinion, is that we’re still playing catch-up.
Undoubtedly, there have been instances where an exceptional hacker or a victorious hackathon participant from a less-celebrated college has secured a lucrative position with a major tech firm. However, such occurrences remain the exception rather than the rule. If the landscape had truly shifted, the relentless scramble for coveted spots in the country’s prestigious institutions–IIMs, IITs, NITs, and other elite colleges for traditional degree courses– would be less frenzied.
It’s heartening to note the discourse around skills gaining prominence in HR circles. The fact that numerous HR leaders are now emphasising the significance of skills marks a noteworthy shift in mindset. While it may be early days, it signifies a promising beginning.
Skills, after all, are not pre-packaged goods from prestigious institutions; they’re hard-earned badges of acumen, grit and relentless learning. If this ethos becomes the norm, the outcome of a few hours spent on entrance exams such as JEE, NEET, or CAT may cease to wield disproportionate influence over the trajectory of a promising career.
In addition to the skills paradigm, this issue of HRForecast 2024 delves into other critical issues raised by senior HR leaders. From the pervasive productivity panic and the quest for workplace flexibility, to trust deficits, strategic HR initiatives and the looming shadow of GenAI, these leaders paint a comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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