Fresher Hiring Intent: Employers’ intent to hire freshers up 7% in H2 ’24 | Hyderabad News

HYDERABAD: In what is a silver lining in a tough job market, the overall hiring intent for the July-Dec 2024 period has shown a significant 8% uptick, with 81% of companies surveyed indicating their intent to hire, as against just 73% in the same period of 2023, according to TeamLease EdTech’s latest report.
When it comes to fresher hiring, the sentiment has seen a 7% increase for H2 of 2024, with 72% of companies stating they were keen on hiring, as against 65% in H2-2023, said TeamLease EdTech’s ‘Career Outlook Report HY2 (July-Dec 2024)’ accessed exclusively by TOI.The study is based on responses of 603 companies surveyed during April-June 2024.

According to the study, the top three sectors with the highest fresher hiring intent are e-commerce & technology start-ups, with 61%, followed by engineering & infrastructure firms at 59% and retail at 54%. When it comes to cities, the strongest fresher hiring sentiment is visible in Bengaluru, with 74% of the employers saying they intend to hire freshers, followed by Mumbai at 60% and Chennai at 54%.
The survey found that in terms of job roles, full stack developer, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) executive, digital sales associate, and UI/UX Designer are the most in-demand positions for freshers, with employers seeking candidates with skills in Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, and SEO.
“The fresher hiring intent represents a 4% increase from 68% in H1 of 2024 and a 7% rise compared to H2 of 2023, suggesting a gradually improving employment landscape for fresh talent and is an encouraging sign. It reflects growing confidence among employers and presents valuable opportunities for fresh talent entering the workforce,” said Shantanu Rooj, Founder & CEO, TeamLease EdTech.
However, when it comes to degree apprenticeship hiring sentiment, manufacturing (25%), engineering & infrastructure (19%), and real estate at 11% are the top three sectors, with Bengaluru at 25%, followed by Chennai at 21% and Mumbai at 16% being the top three cities.
Rooj said the overall hiring sentiments are also seeing tailwinds with continuity in policy reforms by the govt, with fiscal, monetary, and regulatory support helping employers improve their investment appetite. The 1.48 lakh crore allocation for education, employment, and skilling in Union Budget 2024-25 could also be a key factor for the uptick in fresher demand, he added.
Jaideep Kewalramani, head of employability business & COO, TeamLease Edtech, said the 7% rise in fresher hiring intent, coupled with growing demand across diverse sectors, signals a robust job market recovery. “For graduates, this means focusing on in-demand digital skills and embracing varied learning experiences can significantly boost their career prospects in this evolving landscape,” he said.
Pointing to the rapidly evolving job market with tech and digital skills taking centrestage, Rooj said: “We’re seeing a clear demand for roles that blend technical expertise with creative problem-solving. The real game-changer is the growing recognition of the need for stronger industry-academia partnerships. The steady demand for degree apprenticeships further underscores this shift towards practical, hands-on learning. It’s an exciting time for both freshers and employers as we bridge the gap between education and industry requirements.”