Study suggests Python, Gen AI most sought-after skilling courses by engineers

A survey by the ed-tech platform Great Learning suggests that 89 % of engineers in the country plan to acquire hard skills this year, with Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning being the most sought-after skills.

Also, 86% expressed a demand for upskilling in Generative AI, according to the survey released on Sep 15 on National Engineer’s Day 2024. India is home to an increasingly growing young population who opt for engineering and constantly seek to upgrade their skills to stay competitive.

Most technical institutes in the country have recently started courses on Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence. However, just having a pool of engineers is insufficient to achieve the target.

They are expected to have some imperative skills in the age of AI for sustainable development, which they seem to be pursuing to achieve. The online platforms have provided short or degree courses for freshers and professionals for a decade.

The most in-demand skills for engineers include Python programming, algorithms, artificial neural networks, data analysis, Microsoft Excel, presentation leadership, SQL (Structured Query Language), and cybersecurity, as per the online learning platforms Coursera and Udemy.

The most popular GenAI courses in India for the past year have been Introduction to Generative AI, Generative AI for Everyone, Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT, and Google AI Essentials. There is a 1,648 % increase in GenAI course enrollments.

For most of the machine learning courses, an 80% increase in enrollment is seen and according to data obtained in EdTech platforms, a 20% increase in enrollment is also seen among the most popular technology courses in India during the past 12 months.

According to the data, some popular electrical engineering and mechanical engineering courses saw a 10% increase in enrollments during this period.

Interests in courses including 3D CAD fundamental, robotics: aerial robotics, and cyber security in manufacturing and machine design are seen by mechanical engineering students to skill themselves, according to the study.

Courses under electrical engineering like computer architecture, 5G for everyone, and approximation methods are gaining popularity, it said.

Notably, there are also certain offbeat courses opted by engineers to upskill themselves. These include an introduction to computers and office productivity software, everyday Excel, effective problem-solving and decision-making, and emotional and social intelligence.