ATLAS’ ‘Future Skills’ Round Table Conclave Illuminates Tomorrow’s Job Landscape

In the fast-paced world of evolving job landscapes and technological advancements, ATLAS SkillTech University took a groundbreaking step by hosting a Round Table Conclave on ‘Future Skills.’ This event brought together eminent HR experts from diverse industries to share their insights with students and educators, offering a glimpse into the skills that will shape the future workforce.

The panelists, hailing from the forefront of Media & Entertainment, BFSI, Consulting, E-commerce, Real Estate, Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, and the Development sector, brought a wealth of experience to the table. The esteemed lineup included industry luminaries such as:

• Rochelle Aranha, HR Manager, Boston Consulting Group
• Sonal Singh, Director, Human Resources, Deutsche Bank
• Rohit Pathania, Head, Human Resources, JSW Foundation
• Atma Godara, Human Resources Business Partner, Netflix
• Farzana Adenwalla, Vice President Human Resources, Sony Pictures Networks
• Shobha Cecil, General Manager Human Resources, Hamleys
• Amruta Khetan, Manager, Human Capital, Lenskart
• Payal Shiwanekar, Lead Talent Acquisition and HRBP, OYO
• Kavita Ghosh, AVP Human Resources, Anarock
• Ashutosh Thatte, AVP People Partner, Edelman
• Prajakta Shah, Chief Manager Human Resources, Saregama
• Ravi Hemnani, Vice President HR & Head Talent Learning & Transformation, Nuvoco Group
• Vasudevan Laxmanan, Senior HRBP- Vaccines Business, GSK
• Ashita Gupta, Assistant Manager HR, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd.

Exploring the Future of Skills: Themes and Insights

The central theme of the panel discussion revolved around the ‘Future of Skills,’ delving into sub-themes such as the evolving job landscape, the role of technology in workforce planning and the significance of up-skilling and re-skilling within organisations. The panelists didn’t just scratch the surface; they provided deep insights into hiring challenges, organisational expectations and key initiatives shaping the workforce.

Ability to work smoothly in today’s digitized world, good communication skills, design ability and ability to innovate are some of the skills that stand out.
– Ravi Hemnani, Vice President HR, Nuvoco Group

Diversity and Inclusivity: Building Holistic Ecosystems

In the retail industry, direct customer interaction is pivotal. At Hamleys, we seek individuals who embody our brand as the faces in our stores. They must be interactive, collaborative, quick-thinking, adaptable and agile. Testing tenacity through activity-based interviews, we assess skills from creativity to patience, recognising Gen Z’s innate digital proficiency.
– Shobha Cecil, General Manager Human Resources, Hamleys

Beyond the technical skills, the panelists shed light on the initiatives taken by their respective organizations towards diversity and inclusivity. They emphasised the importance of building holistic and equitable organisational ecosystems. Farzana Adenwalla, Vice President of Human Resources at Sony Pictures Networks, highlighted the conscious efforts being made to bridge the gap between the creative and technology verticals in the media landscape.

The media landscape has evolved, becoming more receptive to audience needs. Bridging the gap between creativity and technology, understanding consumer aspirations is crucial. Millennials crave targeted campaigns, and AI plays a significant role in creative production. Our hiring focuses on skills aligned with these dynamic industry shifts.
– Farzana Adenwalla, Vice President Human Resources, Sony Pictures Networks

Words of Wisdom: Panelists’ Insights

Embrace impermanence, discard nostalgia. Excel in your craft with deep domain knowledge, standing out is key. Focus on fundamentals; they carve the path to success.
– Atma Godara, Human Resources Business Partner, Netflix

The insights shared by the panelists were not just theoretical; they were practical, grounded in real-world experiences. Ravi Hemnani, Vice President HR & Head Talent Learning & Transformation at Nuvoco Group, emphasised the need for upskilling in the cement industry. Shobha Cecil, General Manager Human Resources at Hamleys, discussed the importance of interactive and adaptable skills in the retail industry.

Consulting thrives on diverse projects, often presenting to senior professionals. This necessitates skill development. In this sector, the enduring significance of behavioral and human soft skills prevails.
– Rochelle Aranha, HR Manager, Boston Consulting Group

From the banking sector, Sonal Singh of Deutsche Bank stressed the importance of agility and efficiency in a landscape driven by automation and AI. The dynamic requirements of the retail industry were brought to the forefront by Payal Shiwanekar, Lead Talent Acquisition and HRBP at OYO, who highlighted the need for resilience and the ability to bounce back from failures.

In banking, automation and AI drive efficiency. Speed and agility in technology are crucial. Prioritise problem solving and focus on strategic contributions; these skills are essential in our industry.
– Sonal Singh, Director, Human Resources, Deutsche Bank

Mahindra Life Spaces we hire graduate trainees every year. This is the third batch which includes all women. With numerous launches, we use a blended approach, hiring interns for short-term projects and recruiting strategy experts from our Graduate Management Cadre and top talent from within the group.
– Ashita Gupta, Assistant Manager HR, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd.

JSW Foundation seeks talent aligned with our values – compassionate individuals with a commitment to societal contributions. Gen Z’s inclination towards volunteering makes hiring for the development sector effortless for us.
– Rohit Pathania, Head, Human Resources, JSW Foundation

Key Skills for the Future Workforce

Maintain the right attitude to stay relevant. Resilience, bouncing back from failures – these are lessons that pave the way for lasting success in the market.
– Payal Shiwanekar, Lead Talent Acquisition and HRBP, OYO

As the conference drew to a close, the panelists unanimously agreed on a set of key skills essential for both current and future employees. These skills included collaboration, resilience, empathy, integrity, data-driven decision-making, perseverance, creative thinking, problem-solving, continuous learning ability, the right attitude, listening, compassion, patience, agility, dealing with ambiguity, and a growth mindset.

Ability to adapt is going to be a key skill. We have an in-house academy to upskill our on ground staff and new joiners.
– Amruta Khetan, Manager, Human Capital, Lenskart

Bridging Aspirations and Opportunities

Real Estate, once male-dominated, now boasts 35% women. Hiring focuses on intent. Freshers learn the business through fieldwork, supported by ongoing business training to stay current.
– Kavita Ghosh, AVP Human Resources, Anarock

Vasudevan Laxmanan, Senior HRBP at GSK, discussed the challenges of bridging the gap between aspirations and opportunities in a highly regulated industry. The importance of innovation, science and customer-centric approaches were highlighted as essential aspects of staying relevant.

Staying relevant demands upskilling and reskilling. In our highly regulated industry, innovation and customer-centricity guide us. Bridging the gap between aspirations and opportunities is a shared challenge for both industry and academia.
– Vasudevan Laxmanan, Senior HRBP- Vaccines Business, GSK

At Saregama, we balance AI and integrated content creation. AI aids in algorithms and data curation, but it can’t replace artists’ human emotions. Data helps understand trends, aiding talent scouting, but the music industry thrives on creative humans with emotions and expressions.
– Prajakta Shah, Chief Manager Human Resources, Saregama

AI in PR and Communication: Enabling, not Threatening

Ashutosh Thatte, AVP People Partner at Edelman, shared insights into the role of AI in the PR and communication industry. He emphasized that while AI is becoming increasingly prevalent, it should be viewed as an enabling tool rather than a threat. Professionals are starting to use AI, including tools like ChatGPT, for content creation, but the human touch remains irreplaceable.

In the PR and communication industry, India leans on traditional PR for B2B, while B2C relies on digital PR where AI plays a crucial role. Our digital advisory wing emphasizes social listening. Although AI usage is growing, we’ve just scratched the surface. AI, like ChatGPT, is an enabling tool, not a threat.
– Ashutosh Thatte, AVP People Partner, Edelman

MBA Showcase: A Platform for Recognition

The panelists, during their visit to ATLAS also reviewed the work of our students at the ‘MBA Showcase.’ The industry experts not only appreciated the showcased projects but also provided valuable perspectives on workforce planning and management through an engaging panel discussion.

In a world where adaptability and continuous learning are paramount, the Round Table Conclave organised by ATLAS SkillTech University has proven to be a beacon, illuminating the path to success for the future workforce. The invaluable insights shared by the panelists serve as a compass for students and educators navigating the ever-changing landscapes of their respective industries. As we move forward, these lessons will undoubtedly shape the way we approach education, employment, and the future of skills.