Infosys CMO Sumit Virmani has said that education by itself cannot solve India’s growth challenges unless it is matched with real employment opportunities. Speaking about the country’s fast-changing skill needs, he pointed out that students today require not only degrees but also meaningful pathways to jobs that actually use those skills. His remark reflects a concern shared by many young professionals who feel prepared academically but still struggle to find suitable work.
ompanies now expect practical experience, digital skills and adaptability, while colleges still focus heavily on theory. This gap affects millions of young people who are trying to enter competitive industries. Sharing this message from a senior industry leader helps us understand why employability must be given as much importance as classroom learning, and why India needs stronger collaboration between industry, training institutions and universities.
Why Virmani Says Education Alone Is Not Enough
Sumit Virmani highlighted that India has a large number of educated youth, but the challenge lies in converting that learning into productive employment. His message stresses the need to move beyond degrees and focus on skills that directly connect to job roles.
Key Points Raised
- Companies are increasingly looking for job-ready talent, not just well-qualified candidates
- Skill gaps continue to delay recruitment even when degrees are in place
- Many students lack exposure to practical projects and real-world applications
- The job market now rewards adaptability, creativity and tech readiness
His comments reflect the reality that industries such as IT, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and retail are evolving faster than traditional classroom teaching.
The Growing Skills–Jobs Mismatch
Across sectors, India is witnessing a mismatch between what students learn and what employers need. For example, engineering graduates often study outdated programming languages or incomplete project cycles, while companies demand expertise in cloud platforms, automation and data handling. Commerce and management students face similar issues when they discover that employers expect digital marketing knowledge, analytics awareness or hands-on tool experience.
Why This Mismatch Happens
- Slow curriculum updates in many colleges
- Limited industry collaborations
- Fewer internship opportunities in smaller towns
- A focus on marks rather than practical skills
This gap makes students feel unprepared even after completing long years of study.
Industry’s Role in Supporting Employability
Virmani emphasised that the private sector must contribute more actively to training and skill building. Companies like Infosys already run large-scale training programs for fresh recruits, but he suggested that such efforts need expansion and deeper collaboration with educational institutions.
Possible Industry Interventions
- Introducing skill-based modules in colleges
- Conducting mentoring sessions and industry talks
- Offering structured internships and apprenticeships
- Supporting digital skill development in rural areas
Such initiatives help bridge the distance between classroom learning and workplace expectations.
What Students Can Do to Improve Job Readiness
Students also have a role to play in making themselves employable. While degrees are important, self-learning and continuous skill upgrades have become essential.
Practical Steps for Students
- Take up short-term courses in relevant digital skills
- Engage in industry projects, even small ones
- Build a portfolio or GitHub profile for technical roles
- Participate in internships, including virtual ones
- Follow trends in the sectors they want to join
This proactive approach helps them stand out when competing for jobs.
