Future Of Tech Education In India: Insights From Gurtej Singh, CEO, Sqilco
Share
In an interview with EduKida, Gurtej Singh, CEO of Sqilco, spoke about the transformative impact of technology on education, emphasizing the need for adaptive learning ecosystems and personalised, industry-driven training to prepare students for the future of work.
How do you envision the future of tech education in India, especially with the rapid growth of AI, data science, and other emerging technologies?
The future of tech education in India will be defined by agility and innovation. With AI, data science, and emerging technologies driving global transformation, India must build an adaptive learning ecosystem that meets these advancements head-on. I foresee a future where tech education is seamlessly integrated with industry, offering students hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies and fostering a continuous learning culture to keep pace with rapid innovation.
What specific role does Sqilco play in shaping this future, particularly in regions where tech education is limited?
Sqilco’s mission is to democratize access to advanced tech education, especially in underserved regions. By strategically partnering with institutions in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, we bring high-impact training in fields like AI, machine learning, and full-stack development to students who may otherwise miss out on these opportunities. We’re not just providing education; we’re building tech ecosystems in these regions by connecting students with real-world projects and direct employment opportunities through our hiring partners.
What are the key challenges in aligning academic curricula with industry demands, and how does Sqilco bridge this gap?
The primary challenge lies in the disconnect between academic theory and the fast-evolving requirements of the tech industry. Traditional curricula often fail to keep pace with emerging technologies, leaving students underprepared for real-world roles. Sqilco addresses this by offering industry-driven programs that focus on current technologies and practical skills. Our close collaboration with industry experts ensures that our training is continually updated to meet real-time demand, preparing students for immediate impact in the workforce.
Can you share examples of how your training programs directly address the skills needed by today’s tech companies?
Our training programs are designed with direct input from industry leaders to ensure relevance. For instance, our MERN stack program not only teaches full-stack development but also emphasizes problem-solving, code optimization, and scalable design patterns. Similarly, our AI and data science courses include project-based learning on real-world datasets, ensuring that students can apply their skills immediately in a professional setting. This approach equips our students with the practical experience that tech companies actively seek.
What trends are you observing in the EdTech sector, and how is Sqilco positioning itself to capitalize on these?
We’re seeing a shift toward hyper-personalization, flexible learning pathways, and increased focus on outcomes. EdTech is moving beyond one-size-fits-all models to cater to individual learning journeys. At Sqilco, we’re capitalizing on this trend by offering personalized, modular training programs that allow students to progress at their own pace while gaining real-world skills. Additionally, we’re integrating feedback loops from hiring companies to ensure our students are job-ready upon completion.
How do you see the role of online and hybrid learning evolving over the next 5-10 years?
The future of online and hybrid learning will be defined by interactivity, accessibility, and integration with emerging technologies. In the next 5-10 years, we’ll see more immersive learning environments powered by AI, AR, and VR, providing students with hands-on experience in virtual labs. Hybrid learning models will combine the flexibility of online education with the engagement of in-person collaboration, making advanced tech education more accessible while maintaining high levels of engagement and skill-building.
What innovative approaches has Sqilco taken to make advanced technology training accessible and impactful for students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities?
At Sqilco, we’ve pioneered several initiatives to make advanced tech training accessible to students in smaller cities. We deploy a blended learning model that combines online sessions with on-campus workshops, ensuring students have access to both knowledge and mentorship. Additionally, we partner with local institutions to host tech events, coding competitions, and placement readiness tests, creating an environment where students can engage with industry leaders and real-world tech challenges directly.
How do you tailor your training programs to ensure they remain relevant and forward-looking in such a fast-changing tech landscape?
We adopt an agile approach to curriculum development, constantly updating our programs based on the latest industry trends and feedback from our corporate partners. Our courses emphasize skills in demand—like AI, cloud computing, and DevOps—while incorporating future-facing technologies such as blockchain and quantum computing. We also integrate continuous learning strategies, allowing students to upskill and reskill, ensuring they remain competitive as the tech landscape evolves.
With Sqilco’s growing presence and strategic partnerships, what are the key strategies you are implementing to further expand your services across India?
Our expansion strategy hinges on building strong, localized partnerships with educational institutions and companies. By collaborating with universities and colleges in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, we’re expanding our reach to untapped talent pools. We also work closely with leading tech firms to ensure that our programs are tailored to meet current hiring needs, making us the go-to platform for job-ready tech talent. Additionally, we’re scaling our digital offerings to reach a broader audience through online platforms and hybrid learning solutions.
Are there plans to venture into international markets or collaborate with global institutions?
Absolutely. We have already established a presence in international markets, where students are engaged with us through two key avenues: i) our Pro Placement Preparation Cohort, which equips students with globally relevant, advanced technical skills, and ii) live project collaborations with Indian software engineers, offering practical, hands-on experience in real-world projects. Additionally, we are actively pursuing strategic partnerships with global institutions to broaden our impact and offer international students the opportunity to work closely with top industry professionals
How does Sqilco contribute to addressing unemployment in smaller cities? What opportunities and challenges do you face in these regions?
Sqilco is deeply committed to addressing unemployment in smaller cities by offering personalized and accessible tech education. One of our key approaches is delivering training in local and native languages, allowing students to understand complex concepts more effectively and ensuring a personalized learning experience. We don’t follow the traditional classroom model; instead, we use a slot-based system where a dedicated software engineer is assigned to a small group of students. This engineer mentors them throughout their entire learning journey, providing hands-on guidance from foundational skills to job placement.
We provide students with local job opportunities and also expose them to national and international opportunities, expanding their career horizons. Beyond just creating job seekers, we also focus on fostering a job-giver mindset. Once students are fully trained, we encourage them to work on their own problem statements, nurturing entrepreneurial thinking and empowering them to become innovators and job creators in the future
This model has proven highly effective in smaller cities, where personalized attention and real-world project experience help students build industry-relevant skills.
The key challenge we face is awareness—many students in these regions are not fully aware of the opportunities that exist in the tech industry. To tackle this, we run outreach initiatives, placement readiness tests, problem solving competitions and free workshops to ensure students understand the potential of a career in tech.
What impact have you seen so far in these cities, and how do you measure success in terms of employment outcomes for your students?
The impact we’ve observed in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities has been profound. Many students, particularly those from rural backgrounds who initially lacked clear career direction, are now aspiring to secure high-quality tech roles. We have witnessed students from modest backgrounds doubling their incomes post-training, with numerous individuals successfully transitioning from non-tech fields into thriving technical careers.
Our students are also actively participating in hackathons and coding challenges, tackling real-world problems with newfound confidence. They are shifting their focus from merely securing jobs to considering entrepreneurial opportunities, embodying a job creator mindset.
We measure success through quantitative metrics, such as employment rates and salary growth, as well as qualitative indicators, including students’ problem-solving capabilities, industry participation, and entrepreneurial aspirations.