The central challenge that industries face is not so much knowledge or competencies in terms of skills, capacities, etc. Competencies are imparted quite well in our country, through the educational system. Alternatively, people are also able to develop the necessary skills or competencies on the job. So, that is not really where the challenge lies. The real challenge seems to be that there are a very small proportion of people entering their careers from the perspective of wanting to contribute and create genuine value in the workplace.

Usually, we find that in organizations, only 7%-8% of the workforce is contributors. These are the people who make an impact on the organization. They are able to take translate and convert their knowledge into results on the ground. Such people are deeply valued by organizations, and very often, it is these people who seem to develop and grow effortlessly in their careers.

If people have the right skills but lack the right mindset, they end up becoming “highly paid liabilities” to an organization. On the other hand, a person with no skills, but the right mindset, can, in course of time, learn on the job and gradually expand his capacity to deliver results.

The ideal person that industry seeks, is a person who has both, the right mindset and the necessary skills and capacities.

If, through the educational system, we are able to inculcate in our students, the right mindset towards careers in addition to developing their skills and competencies, then our students will have a right take-off into the world of work.