IT firms seek talent with strong foundation as they move to smaller town

The demand is for skills that can address new technology demands such as AI/ML, data analytics, cloud etc, which may not be easily available in these cities

The $227 billion Indian IT-BPM industry is looking at every possible way to increase its reach and get access to talent as demand from clients hits new highs. One of the most sought after strategy is expansion into tier-2 and 3 cities. With every company drawing up plans to increase its presence in smaller cities, industry players and experts are asking whether smaller cities have the requisite skill base.

The IT-BPM industry is expected to continue growing at 15 per cent for the next two years, and would need to add one million new recruits. And the demand is for