The game has changed for fresh engineering graduates in India. Companies are looking beyond just a B.Tech degree. According to a report in Economic Times, "‘Extra’ is now the new byword in hiring of engineering freshers as campus recruiters vie for candidates who have that little extra topping on their plain vanilla B.Tech degree. This topping could be a skill in emerging technologies like AI, ML or IoT, or an apprenticeship or internship at some firm."
The report claims that this trend is reflected in salaries. While the average starting package for engineers has remained flat for standard BTech graduates in recent years, those with additional skills are seeing a significant boost – a 10% increase reported by staffing firm TeamLease .
"Those who've actively learned new technologies or gained experience through apprenticeships are not only getting hired faster, but also commanding higher salaries," told Krishna Vij, business head of IT staffing at TeamLease Digital, to ET.
The numbers speak for themselves. The average salary for a fresh engineer is Rs 3.8-4.5 lakh per year, but for those with skills in emerging technologies, it jumps to Rs 7-10 lakh annually.
How Campuses Reflect the Shift
Universities are adapting to this new normal. Campuses are buzzing with companies seeking "knowledgeable and well-trained" graduates, as highlighted by Harish Kumar, head of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the National Institute of Technology , Delhi.
These sought-after candidates have either completed internships lasting 6-12 months, undergone specialized training, or tackled real-world projects in areas like data science, AI/ML, or cybersecurity. Companies are willing to pay a premium for this experience, offering salaries 75% to 150% higher than those without such exposure.
Specific Skills, Higher Demand
Specific skills are in high demand at some universities. Amity University, for example, reports a surge in interest for students with expertise in cloud computing solutions like AWS, service management tools like ServiceNow, and cybersecurity. "Students with a B.Tech in Cybersecurity are fetching a CTC (cost-to-company) exceeding Rs 15 lakh, while the average salary for a general B.Tech graduate is Rs 6 to 6.5 lakh per year," says Anjani Bhatnagar, the university's technical placement head.
A similar story unfolds at SRM Institute of Science and Technology. Their Career Centre Director, N Venkata Sastry, observes a significant rise in recruitment by global capability centers, particularly those seeking graduates with specializations in new technologies. "These skills are a clear differentiator for employability, and the salaries reflect that," he adds.
Apprenticeships on the Rise
Data from staffing firms like Xpheno and Quess confirms this trend. Kapil Joshi, deputy CEO at Quess IT Staffing, attributes the rise in apprenticeship hiring to companies' desire to reduce costs, build skilled talent pools, and foster employee loyalty. Quess data shows a staggering 10x increase in apprenticeship hiring by IT companies in the eight months leading up to August 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Salary Stagnation for Standard Degrees
Looking back, Xpheno's research reveals that average salaries for fresh engineers have seen only a small increase in the past decade, moving from Rs 3-3.4 lakh per year in 2013-14 to Rs 3.8-4.5 lakh in 2023-24. "Average fresher salaries remain below Rs 5 lakh per annum in the Indian IT sector," says Prasadh M S, head of workforce research at Xpheno. Offers ranging from Rs 3.8 to 4.5 lakh are most common, with some even falling below Rs 3.5 lakh.
What Companies Are Doing
While major IT companies like Cognizant , HCLTech, Infosys, and TCS did not respond to inquiries, Wipro provided details on their "Work Integrated Learning Programme (WILP)" for BSc and BCA graduates. This program combines studies with practical experience through Wipro's academies, and successful graduates have the opportunity to become full-time employees.
The big message for BTech graduates
The message for fresh engineering graduates is clear: A basic B.Tech degree is no longer enough. Equipping yourself with in-demand skills or real-world experience can significantly boost your employability and earning potential. So, take that extra step, gain that extra edge, and stand out from the crowd.
The report claims that this trend is reflected in salaries. While the average starting package for engineers has remained flat for standard BTech graduates in recent years, those with additional skills are seeing a significant boost – a 10% increase reported by staffing firm TeamLease .
"Those who've actively learned new technologies or gained experience through apprenticeships are not only getting hired faster, but also commanding higher salaries," told Krishna Vij, business head of IT staffing at TeamLease Digital, to ET.
The numbers speak for themselves. The average salary for a fresh engineer is Rs 3.8-4.5 lakh per year, but for those with skills in emerging technologies, it jumps to Rs 7-10 lakh annually.
How Campuses Reflect the Shift
Universities are adapting to this new normal. Campuses are buzzing with companies seeking "knowledgeable and well-trained" graduates, as highlighted by Harish Kumar, head of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the National Institute of Technology , Delhi.
These sought-after candidates have either completed internships lasting 6-12 months, undergone specialized training, or tackled real-world projects in areas like data science, AI/ML, or cybersecurity. Companies are willing to pay a premium for this experience, offering salaries 75% to 150% higher than those without such exposure.
Specific Skills, Higher Demand
Specific skills are in high demand at some universities. Amity University, for example, reports a surge in interest for students with expertise in cloud computing solutions like AWS, service management tools like ServiceNow, and cybersecurity. "Students with a B.Tech in Cybersecurity are fetching a CTC (cost-to-company) exceeding Rs 15 lakh, while the average salary for a general B.Tech graduate is Rs 6 to 6.5 lakh per year," says Anjani Bhatnagar, the university's technical placement head.
A similar story unfolds at SRM Institute of Science and Technology. Their Career Centre Director, N Venkata Sastry, observes a significant rise in recruitment by global capability centers, particularly those seeking graduates with specializations in new technologies. "These skills are a clear differentiator for employability, and the salaries reflect that," he adds.
Apprenticeships on the Rise
Data from staffing firms like Xpheno and Quess confirms this trend. Kapil Joshi, deputy CEO at Quess IT Staffing, attributes the rise in apprenticeship hiring to companies' desire to reduce costs, build skilled talent pools, and foster employee loyalty. Quess data shows a staggering 10x increase in apprenticeship hiring by IT companies in the eight months leading up to August 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Salary Stagnation for Standard Degrees
Looking back, Xpheno's research reveals that average salaries for fresh engineers have seen only a small increase in the past decade, moving from Rs 3-3.4 lakh per year in 2013-14 to Rs 3.8-4.5 lakh in 2023-24. "Average fresher salaries remain below Rs 5 lakh per annum in the Indian IT sector," says Prasadh M S, head of workforce research at Xpheno. Offers ranging from Rs 3.8 to 4.5 lakh are most common, with some even falling below Rs 3.5 lakh.
What Companies Are Doing
While major IT companies like Cognizant , HCLTech, Infosys, and TCS did not respond to inquiries, Wipro provided details on their "Work Integrated Learning Programme (WILP)" for BSc and BCA graduates. This program combines studies with practical experience through Wipro's academies, and successful graduates have the opportunity to become full-time employees.
The big message for BTech graduates
The message for fresh engineering graduates is clear: A basic B.Tech degree is no longer enough. Equipping yourself with in-demand skills or real-world experience can significantly boost your employability and earning potential. So, take that extra step, gain that extra edge, and stand out from the crowd.
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