For improved employment opportunities, Indian graduates need to develop their communication skills, Say India Inc’s L&D Leaders

Hyderabad: Language proficiency is becoming increasingly vital for success in a dynamic job market. As Job seekers aspire for opportunities with MNCs in India and abroad, good language skills are becoming an imperative for Organisations in making hiring decisions. In a recent event hosted in the City by CUP&A, which saw participation from leaders across, the need for improved language skills in filling job roles, in addition to technical skills, was highlighted as a growing industry requirement.

Corporates, in their quest for top talent, are not only seeking academic excellence but also placing a significant emphasis on diverse skill sets with an upwardly mobile workforce. However, employers who are recruiting fresh talent through campus placements, continue to grapple with challenges in soft skills such as communication and language proficiency, impacting their hiring decisions. Incomplete HR rounds reflect the struggle to find candidates aligned with corporate expectations. Concurrently, educators face challenges in preparing learners for the dynamic job market.

To address these challenges, globally recognised English language proficiency leader CUP&A has committed to partner with Educational Institutions and prospective employers in helping bridge gaps in language proficiency through tailored curriculum enhancements, industry collaborations, and experiential learning opportunities. Since there is a growing need for professionals to not only possess academic excellence but also understand and navigate the intricacies of international practices, CUP&A aims to assist academies to rethink their strategies on how they can prepare their learners to meet corporate expectations. Cambridge has established two Linguaskill centers – JB Educational Society from Telangana and G Pullaiah College of Engineering & Technology from Andhra Pradesh along with three Cambridge Learning partners Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology from Telangana, Ravindra College of Engineering for Women and KSRM College of Engineering from Andhra Pradesh, and a Letter of Intent was signed with Malla Reddy University in Hyderabad.

Arun TK, Regional Director, Cambridge English, highlighted the commitment to be a catalyst for change in the employability landscape, “While there exists a considerable gab in the employment aptitude, Cambridge English wants to be part of the solution by enabling graduates to acquire world-class English language communication skills and certification that are accepted by top recruiters across India and the world. Therefore, we invite Colleges and Universities to partner with Cambridge English to bridge the skills gap and utilise the platform created by Cambridge to connect with top employers.”

Developing future-ready talent, shaping graduates for the global stage, and ensuring that graduates are well-equipped for the challenges of the future workplace have been the focal areas for CUP&A. In line with its commitment, the Organisation recently hosted an Industry-Academia Connect Conference in Hyderabad which emphasized the importance of fostering strong ties between academia and industry to nurture job-ready graduates with multifaceted skills for professional success. Themed “Innovate, lead, succeed: Corporate expectations in the new work era,”, the event brought together key stakeholders from corporate organizations and higher education institutions to address the challenges faced in recruiting fresh talent during campus placements. The platform saw active participation from key senior leaders, such as Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Deans, Skill, and Placement Directors from renowned institutions across South India, underscoring the critical role in bridging the gap.