Approximately 72% of employers in India intend to hire fresh graduates in the second half of 2024, reports The Economic Times, citing a survey conducted by TeamLease EdTech. The 72% figure is a 4% increase from the first half of the year and up 7% from a year ago, indicating a gradually improving employment scenario for fresh talent. The learning and employability solutions company surveyed 603 companies for its ‘Career Outlook Report HY2 (July-December 2024)’.

E-commerce and technology startups, engineering and infrastructure, and retail are the top three industries that intend to hire freshers, according to the report, with 61%, 59% and 54% of employers, respectively, planning to recruit. Among cities, Bengaluru leads with 74% of employers intending to hire freshers, followed by Mumbai (60%) and Chennai (54%).

“The increase in hiring intent for freshers is an encouraging sign. It reflects growing confidence among employers and presents valuable opportunities for fresh talent entering the workforce,” TeamLease EdTech CEO Shantanu Rooj said in a statement in The Economic Times.

Jaideep Kewalramani, head of employability business at TeamLease Edtech, said, “The rise compared to July-December 2023 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.”