A recent study commissioned by Amazon Web Services (AWS) found that workers in India with advanced digital skills, including cloud architecture and software development, contributed approximately ₹10.9 lakh crore (USD 507.9 billion) to India’s annual gross domestic product. The study, conducted by Gallup, surveyed 2,005 working adults and 769 employers in India and classified digital skills into three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. According to the study, workers with advanced digital skills earn 92% higher salaries than those with similar education levels who do not use digital skills at work. Additionally, workers with advanced digital skills express higher job satisfaction, with 91% reporting higher satisfaction than those with basic digital skills.
The study found that 80% of Indian organizations employing workers with advanced digital skills report higher annual revenue growth, and 21% of organizations that run most of their business on the cloud reported a doubling of annual revenue or more. However, 88% of organizations are facing hiring issues, with 93% reporting the need to fill positions that require digital skills. The report suggests that one possible barrier is that 60% of Indian organizations prefer a bachelor’s degree, even for entry-level IT staff.
To tackle with the challenges faced in hiring digitally skilled people, industries have now started giving importance to certifications hoping that it could ease hiring challenge. As businesses and government agencies around the world undergo digital transformation, the demand for workers with advanced digital skills is expected to remain strong in the coming years.