Bengaluru, 25 February 2025: Cambridge University Press & Assessment has launched a advisory panel comprising leaders from top global corporations, aiming to bridge the employability gap and better align academic output with industry needs. The panel, stemming from Cambridge’s industry-academia conferences held last year, includes talent acquisition heads from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, Infosys, Cognizant, Tech Mahindra, and Sutherland Global, to name a few.
At the inaugural session held Friday, industry experts discussed the challenges of preparing today’s youth for the evolving job market. A key highlight was the release of a white paper, at the Bridging Industry & Academia Expectations Conference 2025 on ‘Redefining Communication Skills for a Future-Ready Workforce’, which brought together leaders from industry and universities such as Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, VFSTR University, ITM Group, and Rungta Educational Foundation. It addressed the growing importance of communication skills, the need for stronger collaboration between industry and universities, and strategies to bridge the persistent skill gap.
Authored by Dr M. Muruganant, Founder, AcadNet, the paper outlines strategies to modernise curricula, enhance academia-industry collaboration, and examines 17 essential skills and 12 HR variables for success in today’s business landscape. It introduces a four-cluster model for skill development, emphasising not only technical skills but also cognitive, interpersonal, and adaptability traits for sustainable employment and leadership.
At the panel discussions, talent heads explained how they are struggling to find candidates with strong communication abilities, particularly among blue-collar workers in tier 2 and 3 cities. They pointed out that while technical skills are teachable, communication and life skills require a different approach. Early engagement between academia and industry is crucial to equip students with job-ready skills.
The conference also highlighted the need for stronger English proficiency, a critical skill for success in global industries. This need is supported by earlier research from the University of Cambridge and the British Council in schools, which underscores the importance of multilingual education in developing cognitive and interpersonal skills. Additionally, NITI Aayog’s recent report ‘Expanding Quality Higher Education’, calls attention to talent outflows due to inadequate employability skills, especially in English proficiency.
Arun Rajamani, Managing Director, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, South Asia, said: “At Cambridge, we recognise that there is a growing gap between the skills required by employers and the abilities of the workforce. As this divide widens, it is crucial that industry and academia work together to better align educational outcomes with the evolving demands of the workplace. Through this advisory panel, our aim is to bridge the employability gap and further ensure that the necessary skills and communication needs are enhanced to meet industry requirements.”
Additionally, the whitepaper provides actionable strategies for educational institutions, employers, and policymakers to bridge skill gaps. It recommends modernising curricula to align with industry needs, implementing targeted training programmes, fostering diversity and inclusion, and integrating technology to enhance learning and development. These insights aim to equip professionals with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving global economy.
Recognising the industry need, TCS recently included Linguaskill from Cambridge as one of the English proficiency assessments that the organisation accepts on its job portal, reinforcing the increasing demand for soft skills alongside technical expertise. As one of the largest recruiters in the country, the company highlighted the lack of strong communication skills among candidates and called for greater focus on this issue at both the school and university levels.
Arunachalam TK, Regional Director, English, South Asia, added, “With talent becoming more vibrant, there is an increasing need for holistic skills that put effective communication skills on a par with technical expertise. Industry data underscores that strong English skills correlate with broader job opportunities and global employability. We recognise English as a skill has a far-reaching impact on career prospects and overall workforce readiness. The Cambridge approach is forward-thinking, and our aim is to enhance global employability of the Indian youth.”
The conference concluded with the key takeaway that future talent development must be a collaborative effort between academia, industry, and policymakers. Experts shared insights on aligning education with industry needs to maintain global workforce competitiveness, emphasising the importance of skill-building to empower professionals in an AI-driven, rapidly evolving digital landscape.