Shaping Today’s Tech Talent: Unveiling Emerging Trends at the Leadership ThinkTank Event

Emerging technologies are reshaping industries and impacting functions. They are working actively to become ‘future-ready’, especially when it comes to their tech talent. Organizations across industries are rethinking their workforce strategies to keep pace with advancements in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics. As technology redefines job roles and required skills, there's a growing focus on cultivating a talent pool equipped to navigate complex digital environments and innovate continuously.

Workforce diversity, digital skills, and flexible talent development are becoming central to preparing employees for the future. The shift toward a highly skilled, adaptable workforce highlights the importance of identifying emerging roles and essential competencies. Embracing these trends is crucial for organizations seeking to stay competitive and future-ready, fostering a culture where tech talent can thrive and drive sustained innovation.

TeamLease Digital’s CXO ThinkTank "Shaping Today’s Tech Talent: Unveiling Emerging Trends" organized on 18th October in Hyderabad addressed several pertinent aspects of shaping the tech talent.The event dives deep into key trends like the growing influence of AI, the demand for specialized skills, and the critical role of diversity and upskilling in sustaining innovation. With technology advancing at rapid speed, aligning talent strategies with these trends is now essential for organizations that want to stay competitive and resilient.

The event featured insights from industry leaders and experts who are pioneering these changes, offering actionable strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent in an evolving landscape. From practical steps on adopting digital-first approaches to understanding the human side of tech transformations, attendees gain a comprehensive view of what’s next in the tech workforce. It’s an opportunity for business leaders, HR professionals, and tech enthusiasts alike to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that both their organizations and their teams are equipped for the future of work.

The concept of finding ‘right talent’ and how organizations can recalibrate their strategies has become critical in recent years. With CXO ThinkTanks we intend to drive a critical discussion around it. During the event, it was highlighted that “Finding the right talent is a challenge but it predominantly depends on what talent you're looking for. For specific roles, you have to revolve your people strategy: what are those roles where you will get the talent, what are the roles for which the talent would come to the organization. So that has to be clearly defined to create a fine balance…Understanding the organization, business, and knowing the product is crucial in the current times.” It underlines the importance of alignment between organizational goals and talent strategy. Companies today must be clear about which roles require a unique skill set versus those that can attract talent willing to adapt and grow within the company. Balancing this distinction is key to building a resilient workforce that can keep up with the rapid changes in technology.

As industries increasingly look to India for talent, another major concern covered during the discussion was the gap between academic curricula and industry expectations. The need for job-ready talent is crucial, as quoted, “With limited fresher talent available overseas, organizations are forced to move to India and establish their offices here. India produces a large pool of engineering graduates every year, but as much as 95% of them are not job-ready. Academia must focus on building skills in close collaboration with large MNCs to create an industry-ready talent pool. This approach will help bridge the existing skill gap while also teaching foundational skills that will enable talent to grow effectively and in the right direction.”

There was a collective agreement that stronger collaboration between academia and industry can help bridge this gap. By integrating real-world skills and knowledge into academic programs, educational institutions can equip students with a foundational understanding that prepares them for the dynamic demands of the tech industry.

The ThinkTank event also highlighted a growing trend: talent mobility and the appeal of Tier II cities for both freshers and seasoned professionals. Increasingly, candidates are seeking sustainable lifestyles, which often means moving to or remaining in their hometowns. “Candidates are prioritizing sustainability and hence not only freshers but experienced professionals too are moving to their hometowns in Tier II cities," noted by another esteemed delegate. "There is ample skilled talent available in some of these cities as after a while they think about supporting their families and being around them… This shift has prompted state governments to focus on building a supportive ecosystem. However, to retain these talents is a challenge for business—while we are able to find the right talent in these places, it's important for them to keep upskilling and reskilling with the changing market demands.”

As talent moves beyond major urban hubs, organizations must find ways to support, retain, and continually upskill these professionals. Building robust local ecosystems and creating sustainable opportunities in Tier II cities can help attract and retain talent while balancing organizational needs with employee lifestyle preferences.

The Leadership ThinkTank event made it clear that shaping tomorrow’s tech talent requires foresight, strategy, and collaboration. From evolving people strategies to bridging educational gaps and supporting local ecosystems, companies are recognizing the importance of a holistic approach to workforce development.

As TeamLease Digital’s CXOs and industry leaders underscored at the event, the future of tech lies not only in hiring the right talent but in continuously investing in their growth. Embracing this mindset will help organizations remain competitive, adaptive, and ready to lead in an increasingly digital and dynamic world. The blueprint is now clear: invest in skill-building, foster inclusive and agile work environments, and support every employee in becoming a true asset to the organization.