Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India's first smart city and International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), recently hosted the "GIFT City: The Emerging Talent Frontier" summit at IIT Gandhinagar. The event focused on addressing talent needs and fostering workforce development for businesses in GIFT City and Gujarat. Industry leaders, government officials, and academicians, including executives from BNY, Capgemini, IBM, and LinkedIn, discussed strategies for cultivating a future-ready talent pool. Key panels explored aligning workforce strategies with evolving technology, enhancing diversity, and building long-term industry-academia partnerships. The summit highlighted GIFT City's role in creating an ecosystem to support Gujarat's emergence as a digital innovation leader.
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India's first operational smart city and inaugural International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), recently hosted a Talent Summit at IIT Gandhinagar. The event aimed to address the current talent needs and promote workforce development to support the rapid growth of businesses within GIFT City and across Gujarat.
Titled "GIFT City: The Emerging Talent Frontier," the summit convened industry leaders, government officials, and academicians to discuss strategies for cultivating a future-ready talent pool in Gujarat. Key attendees included Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Chairman of GIFT City; Mr. Tapan Ray, MD and Group CEO of GIFT City; Mr. K Rajaraman, Chairman of IFSCA; and Mr. Banchhanidhi Pani, Commissioner of Technical Education, Government of Gujarat & CEO of Gujarat Knowledge Society (GKS).
Notable figures from the industry, including executives from BNY, Capgemini, IBM, Wayfair, KPMG, Maersk, and PWC, participated in discussions, sharing insights on how businesses can align their workforce strategies with the rapid advancements in technology and market demands.
Mr. Tapan Ray, MD & Group CEO of GIFT City, said, "The GIFT City Talent Summit is an important platform to discuss and address the evolving needs of the workforce. As businesses continue to grow and innovate, it is imperative that we align our strategies to ensure the availability of top-tier talent. At GIFT City, we are committed to creating a conducive ecosystem where professionals and businesses can thrive, and this summit has provided us with invaluable insights to further strengthen our efforts."
LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, shared state-specific statistics highlighting the available talent pool and workforce trends in Gujarat. Ms. Ruchee Anand, India Country Head for LinkedIn Talent and Learning Solutions, discussed the state's readiness to lead India's next wave of digital and technological innovation, citing a surge in AI-skilled professionals. Through its partnership with GIFT City, LinkedIn aims to help businesses and educational institutions adopt a skills-first approach to hiring and workforce development, empowering Gujarat's talent to meet future demands.
The summit featured two key panel discussions. The first, "Developing a Talent Pool for the World," examined the evolution of talent requirements as Global Capability Centres (GCCs) advance up the value chain. Panellists from BNY, Capgemini, IBM, Wayfair, and KPMG discussed the core opportunities, challenges, and availability of talent in the country, along with strategies to enhance workforce diversity, particularly by increasing women's representation in tech roles. They also emphasised aligning opportunities with Gen Z ambitions and fostering partnerships with start-ups to drive innovation and access valuable talent.
The second panel, "Building a Long-Term Talent Supply Chain," focused on best practices for industry-academia partnerships, curriculum evolution to meet industry needs, and the experiences of companies that have successfully scaled operations in GIFT City. Panellists from Baroda Global Shared Services (BGSS), Maersk, PWC, Team Lease Degree Apprenticeship, LTI Mindtree, and Analog Devices discussed the evolution of enterprises in India, the importance of employee training and skill development, infrastructure, sustainability, and the advantages of GIFT City for companies and employees. Industry experts highlighted the impact of salary inflation on talent acquisition and operational efficiency, stressing the need for sustainable compensation practices. They also shared lessons learned from other cities to help avoid infrastructure and traffic challenges as GIFT City continues to develop.
In conclusion, the summit underscored GIFT City's commitment to fostering a thriving ecosystem where talent meets industry needs, paving the way for Gujarat's future as a leader in digital and technological innovation.
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