Editorial . . . . . . . . . 

It is now a reason for concern that the information technology (IT) sector in India is having such a difficult time filling positions that call for expertise with contemporary software. In order to close the skill gap in disruptive technologies caused by pandemic lockdowns, it is urgently necessary to reskill nearly 50% of India’s IT workers. The industry claims that the stakeholders are facing difficulties due to a lack of qualified IT workers to operate the latest technology. More than a third of India’s IT workers, or over 1 million engineers, may face redundancy over the next five years unless they reskill in fields like artificial intelligence, the internet of things, machine learning, and blockchain, according to industry group Nasscom. According to Nasscom, the sector will see a scarcity of experienced tech workers in the upcoming years due to the anticipated large number of positions in AI and Big Data.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) also noted in one of its reports that approximately 54% of the world’s workforce needs to be retrained or upgraded in order to work in the disruptive and digital technologies giving rise to the virtual world. According to the survey, until 2022, big data analytics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence will rule enterprises across all industries, redefining employment profiles for geeks. Mid-level employees are particularly exposed. Such workers are typically accustomed to working in a certain way, but they may become much less necessary in the future as technological advancements reduce the need for on-site visits, which businesses are already under pressure to reduce, as well as for human oversight of client systems once they have been implemented. What ought the sector to do? Managing constantly changing client requirements might become challenging without the correct personnel, which would be detrimental to their prospects for success. Along with issues with visas and the like, the business already experiences reduced demand in a number of overseas markets. Companies may be forced to eliminate positions as profitability continues to suffer, which is never a good thing. The profile of current jobs will alter as a result of the adoption of new technologies, moving toward higher-level, more automated occupations that will offer difficulties for the $167 billion Indian IT services sector. The curriculum for students must incorporate developing technologies in addition to teaching the workforce new skills. We require immediate preparation on the part of all stakeholders, from legislators to educational institutions, to prevent mass layoffs. To determine precisely what type of training is required, governments and schools must form relationships with industry. But businesses in the IT sector must shoulder the majority of the transition costs. Businesses or nodal organizations like Nasscom should identify opportunities for staff reskilling and then put in place the necessary programs. They owe it to their current employees.

Even though schools are now progressively reopening as a result of the pandemic’s declining slope, it is crucial to give students access to suitable computer-based equipment and online resources. The students who are less fortunate and do not have access to e-learning should be given priority. Sincere efforts must be made to guarantee that every student gets an equitable, high-quality computer education as a fundamental right. To prevent denying access to computer education to people who lack resources, a solution must be developed at all levels of government. This solution must also include the introduction of new market- and job-oriented computer-based courses in light of future needs. In order to close the digital gap, the government of Jammu and Kashmir should form a committee of IT experts who will suggest to the government time to time to introduce new computer-based courses having potential in the job market not at present but also in the future. Thus, there is ample need to overcome the digital gap for the bright future of J&K students.