The People Management Committee of The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized 'The People Management Conclave − 4th Edition, Theme − Employability Challenges of Next Gen' held on Saturday, 25th March 2023 from 2.30 pm onwards at Williamson Magor Hall, The Bengal Chamber Premises, Kolkata.

A Brief about the Conclave :

Over the years, this Conclave has emerged as a very proactive platform for brainstorming employability issues and the way ahead.

The intention of the conclave was to understand and brainstorm the employability gap with the fresh graduates from various educational streams and the requirement of the industry. The Conclave aimed at discussing the way ahead to bridge this gap and make the fresh graduates more industry ready. It also aimed at bringing together all stakeholders of Human Resource Development from PSU, Corporate and Educational bodies and provides a platform for discussing the requirements, challenges and measures needed to proceed on the path of bridging this gap.

Speakers at this event were :

1. Mr. Ranjan Sarkar, Chairperson, People Management Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President − HR & EHS, Exide Industries Limited.
2. Mr. Subir Chakraborty, President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Exide Industries Limited.
3. Mr. Gautam Ray, President Designate, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Executive Director (HR & Admin.) − CESC Limited & President (HR) − Power Group, RPSG.
4. Mr. Somesh Dasgupta, Mentor, People Management Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Whole Time Director, India Power Corporation Ltd.
5. Shri Vinay Ranjan, Director (Personnel & IR), Coal India Ltd.
6. Mr. Samar Banerjee, Chief Human Resource Officer, Star Cement Ltd.
7. Mr. Rupankar Chakrabarti, Head of Human Resources, Rain Industries
8. Mr. Supratik Bhattacharya, Technology Consulting Human Capital Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt Ltd
9. Mr. Jaidip Chatterjee, Co − Chairperson, People Management Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chief of Human Resources, SREI Group
10. Dr. Sanjay Muthal, CEO, Kontempore Leadership & Business Solutions.
11. Mr. Ranjan Banerjee, Group Head Human Resources, Berger Paints India
12. Mr. Sudhakar Kamath, Vice President − Enterprise Partnership, South & East, Refyne
13. Dr. Chandrima Banerjee, Director, Unigrow Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
14. Mr. Indrajit Gupta, Co−Founder/Partner, EnCore Mindseek Pvt. Ltd.
15. Mr. Sudhanshu Roy, Group Head HR, Medica Superspecialty Hospital

Speaking on the programme Mr. Subir Chakraborty, President, BCC&I and Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Exide Industries Limited said, “Today, we are living in a very uncertain world. We do not seem to have clarity about where we are navigating and what kind of future is waiting for us. In this situation it is not uncommon for people to be not sure about what they want. So, when the situation is uncertain, we require frequent consultation and discussion. So, for graduates coming out of college we need frequent industry−academia interactions so that we can quickly understand whatever changes that are taking place and then adapt to those changes. IT sector today is at the edge of a cliff because the vast army of people that are being employed today, in the course of this decade, will find that many of the jobs that they are doing today will be taken over by artificial intelligence. Hence, we require tailoring make courses for our requirements”.

Addressing the Media Shri Vinay Ranjan, Director (Personnel & IR), Coal India Ltd said “All of us know that India has a demographic dividend but any demographic dividend if not handled well can be a double−edged weapon. If the young generation feels that they are not getting a job which they deserve and that there are not enough jobs in the system then the situation can become very chaotic. As an employer we did not really look at one’s academic brilliance but whether one has an attitude which can fit the culture. One can impart technical knowledge but very difficult to impart attitude. If attitude is right, one is sorted. Skills become obsolete so fast. We are living in a changing world. Constantly needs to develop oneself and add skills in one’s repertoire. This is a good time for those seeking careers. 1970s and 80s was part of the American Dream. 1990s was China’s decade. The decade of 2020 − 2030 belongs to India”.

Eminent HR heads were of opinion that the first challenge facing the next generation is the rapid pace of technological change. We are living in an era of digital transformation, where technology is disrupting traditional jobs and creating new opportunities. The next generation needs to be equipped with the necessary digital skills to thrive in this new economy. This means they need to be proficient in areas such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. The second challenge facing the next generation is the increasing importance of soft skills. In a world where automation is replacing many routine tasks, soft skills such as communication, problem−solving, and teamwork are becoming more important than ever. The next generation needs to be able to work effectively in teams, communicate clearly, and adapt to changing circumstances. The third challenge facing the next generation is the rise of the gig economy. More and more people are working as freelancers, contractors, and consultants. This means that the next generation needs to be comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. They need to be able to manage their time effectively, be self−motivated, and be comfortable with a degree of risk. The fourth challenge facing the next generation is the increasing importance of lifelong learning. The pace of technological change means that the skills that are in demand today may not be in demand tomorrow. The next generation needs to be prepared to adapt and learn new skills throughout their careers. This means that they need to be open to new ideas and be willing to invest in their own development.

The Conclave was attended by Directors, Faculty, Students and Administrative Officers of Engineering and Management Institutes and HR Leaders from PSU and Corporate.