The Digital Shift: The Rise of IT Roles in India's Non-Tech Sectors

Anand Gupta, a seasoned operations manager at a mid-sized FMCG firm in Pune, never imagined he’d collaborate with software developers, data scientists, or UX designers. His days were typically filled with supply chain optimization, vendor management, and production schedules. However as the company introduced AI-driven inventory management systems, Anand found himself leading a team of tech-savvy professionals. It was a transition he neither foresaw nor was prepared for.

Anand's story isn’t unique. Across India, non-tech industries are embracing digital transformation, necessitating a shift in hiring practices. This shift brings opportunities and challenges as companies explore uncharted territories in tech hiring.

This week’s article on “The People Weekly” will focus on the emergence of tech hiring in non-tech companies. Let's get into the current tech hiring scene in non-tech sectors. We'll look at the most wanted technical roles and what drives this digital change.

The Digital Revolution Beyond Tech

Traditionally, tech hiring has been synonymous with IT firms, startups, and digital service companies.? However, sectors like retail, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing are now aggressively recruiting tech talent to drive innovation. Studies have shown that traditional Indian companies have also? jumped on the tech bandwagon, with 68% of them now hiring tech professionals. This shows a dramatic change from five years ago when only IT companies focused on tech recruitment. In India, the following trends have been pivotal:

1. Integration of AI and Automation: Businesses are automating processes to enhance productivity. From predictive analytics in agriculture to robotics in warehouses, the need for data engineers, AI specialists, and robotic process automation (RPA) experts is skyrocketing.
2. Rise of E-commerce and Omni-channel Strategies: Retail giants and local stores alike are moving online. They are hiring tech professionals to create seamless e-commerce platforms, manage backend systems, and improve customer experience with AI chatbots and AR tools.
3. Health-Tech Boom: The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, wearable health devices, and AI-based diagnostic tools. This has created a demand for software engineers, blockchain experts for health data security, and bioinformatics professionals.
4. Smart Manufacturing: Factories are becoming ‘smart’ with IoT devices, digital twins, and real-time monitoring systems. This requires software developers, cloud computing specialists, and IoT architects to design and maintain these technologies.
5. Sustainability through Tech: Indian industries are leveraging technology for green initiatives—be it AI-driven water management in agriculture or energy-efficient systems in real estate.

Current State of Tech Hiring in Non-Tech Sectors

Tech hiring in India's non-tech sectors shows a remarkable upward trend. Recent analysis reveals these sectors employ 7.65 lakh tech professionals. This number will grow substantially in the next few years.

The tech employment figures in major sectors paint an interesting picture:

• BFSI and Consulting: 2.4? lakh professionals
• Retail and Consumer Business: 1.85 lakh professionals
• Engineering R&D: 1.43 lakh professionals
• Life Sciences and Healthcare: 1.05 lakh professionals
• Communications Media and Technology: 0.9 lakh professionals

In-Demand Technical Roles and Skills

Our recruitment data reveals interesting patterns about technical roles in non-tech companies. Software development and engineering positions guide the market.?

Some of the key IT roles in non-tech sectors are

In fact, ERP, Java Full Stack, Data Analytics, Cloud, and Infrastructure Management are the most valued technical skills. These make up 82% of the total skill requirements. Automotive companies actively seek professionals to support their electric vehicle transition. The engineering sector focuses on Industry 4.0 implementation.

Companies compete fiercely with attractive salary packages. Cybersecurity and network administration roles in non-tech sectors now pay Rs 5.17 LPA. Data management positions fetch Rs 6.37 LPA. Cloud solutions experts receive approximately 8% higher salaries from non-tech sectors compared to IT service companies.

Challenges in Hiring Tech Talent

While the demand for tech talent in non-tech industries is evident, there are roadblocks:

1. Competition from Core Tech Firms: Non-tech industries often lose out to IT giants and startups offering more lucrative salaries and perks.
2. Cultural Mismatch: Traditional industries might struggle to integrate tech teams with legacy systems and non-tech-savvy workforces.
3. Skill Gap: Despite India’s vast pool of engineers, there’s often a mismatch between industry needs and available skills.
4. Retention Issues: With tech professionals frequently exploring roles in startups or global firms, retaining them in traditional industries can be a challenge.

Looking Ahead: Tech Integration as a Norm

The non-tech sectors in India show a remarkable push toward digital adoption. Our research reveals traditional companies are moving away from old methods and embracing technology at an unprecedented pace. The lines between tech and non-tech sectors are blurring. Just as Anand Gupta embraced his new reality, industries must accept that digital transformation isn’t a one-time project but a continuous evolution. Hiring tech talent is no longer a luxury but a necessity for survival and growth.

In the coming decade, as technologies like 5G, blockchain, and AI become ubiquitous, India’s non-tech industries will become unrecognizable. The fusion of traditional expertise with tech innovation holds the promise of an exciting future.

Whether it’s a farmer in Punjab using AI to predict crop yields or a retail chain in Chennai personalizing customer experiences with machine learning, tech hiring in non-tech industries is?redefining the Indian workforce. The challenge lies in making this transition seamless and inclusive—an effort that will shape India’s economic trajectory in the years to come.

PeopleLogic Opinion

The growing incorporation of IT roles in non-tech industries is reshaping how businesses operate and compete. From enhancing supply chain efficiencies to driving personalized customer experiences, tech talent plays a crucial role in enabling these advancements. Despite challenges like talent acquisition and integration, non-tech companies in India are making strides toward digital innovation, leveraging both emerging technologies and strategic recruitment practices. This shift highlights the critical importance of aligning organizational goals with technological capabilities to thrive in a digitally driven marketplace.