Why Tier-2 & Tier-3 Engineering Graduates Are Left Behind in the Skill Race

Why Tier-2 & Tier-3 Engineering Graduates Are Left Behind in the Skill Race

You’ve spent four years grinding through engineering college, acing exams, and dreaming of a corner office at a tech giant. You graduate with a shiny degree, only to find yourself ghosted by recruiters or stuck in a low-paying job that barely uses your skills. This isn’t a rare sob story, it’s the harsh reality for thousands of engineering graduates from tier-2 and tier-3 colleges in India. While Top Schools like IITs and NITs churn out industry-ready talent, many graduates from lesser-known institutions face a silent crisis: a skill gap so wide it’s like trying to cross a canyon with a skipping rope. Why does this happen? And why is no one talking about it?

Satrangi Gurukul will peel out the layers of this hidden epidemic, exposing shocking truths. We’ll challenge the myth that a degree guarantees success, uncover why the system is failing these students, and explore what the future holds—along with bold, unconventional ideas to disrupt the status quo.

For our Satrangi Gurukul Members, we’ve reserved a special section with exclusive foresight and actionable strategies to navigate this crisis.

The Shocking Truth: A Degree Isn’t Enough

India produces over 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, but only 45% are employable in top in-demand roles. For tier-2 and tier-3 college graduates, the numbers are even bleaker: a mere 10% are deemed “readily employable” without additional training. This isn’t just a statistic, it’s a wake-up call. Companies like Infosys and TCS hire thousands, yet they often bypass tier-2 and tier-3 colleges or relegate their graduates to low-skill roles. Why? Because these students lack the practical, industry-relevant skills that employers demand.

The problem starts early. Tier-2 and tier-3 colleges, often located in smaller cities, operate with outdated curricula that prioritize rote learning over hands-on experience. Many of these institutions teach programming languages like C++ or Java from textbooks a decade old, while industries demand proficiency in Python, AI frameworks like TensorFlow, or cloud computing. Add to that limited industry exposure, underqualified faculty(not talking about their degrees), and minimal access to internships, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

This isn’t just about technical skills. Employers increasingly value soft skills—communication, critical thinking, and adaptability, which tier-2 and tier-3 graduates often lack due to inadequate training.

90% of top performers have high emotional intelligence, yet most tier-2 and tier-3 colleges don’t prioritize these competencies.

The Civil Engineering Dreamer

A graduate from a private engineering college in Madhya Pradesh scored high marks and completed a reputable internship. Yet, when he hit the job market, he was clueless about the skills companies wanted. “I didn’t even know what ‘skills’ they were looking for,” he admitted. He spent a year upskilling through online courses and later pursued a master’s degree, not by choice, but out of necessity. His story reflects a broader trend: tier-2 and tier-3 graduates often realize too late that their education didn’t prepare them for the real world.

57% of tier-3 college graduates are employable in non-technical roles, but only 23% are ready for project-management positions, and only 33% for machine learning roles, skills critical for high-paying jobs.

The Electronics Student Left Behind

A student from a tier-3 college in the Electronics and Communication branch faced a grim reality: only three companies visited her campus for recruitment. “They expected us to know coding, which we barely studied,” she said. Her batch saw just five placements, with three students still waiting for offer letters. The cost cutting and layoffs fuelled the issue, but the root cause was clear: her college’s curriculum was disconnected from industry needs.

Non-CS/IS branches in tier-2 and tier-3 colleges struggle the most, with companies prioritizing computer science graduates even for roles that don’t require coding.

The COVID Batch Conundrum

Students who studied virtually during the pandemic, branded as the “COVID batch”—faced unique challenges. A tier-2 college student said her college offered just one month of placement training, far too little to bridge the skill gap. “We were taught online, but the industry expects hands-on experience,” she lamented. This cohort’s lack of practical exposure has left them at a disadvantage, with recruiters favoring those with real-world projects.

Over 60% of engineering graduates remain unemployed, with virtual learning cited as a key factor for tier-2 and tier-3 students.

How Did This Happen? The Roots of the Crisis

The skill gap didn’t appear overnight. It’s the result of systemic failures:

1. Outdated Curricula: Many tier-2 and tier-3 colleges follow syllabi that haven’t evolved in years. While Top schools partner with industry leaders to update courses, smaller colleges lack the resources or incentive to do so.
   

2. Faculty Gaps: Professors in these colleges often lack industry experience. A recent report noted that tier-2 and tier-3 institutions struggle to attract trainers for emerging technologies like AI and ML due to various factors.
   

3. Limited Industry Ties: Unlike top schools, which boast robust alumni networks and industry partnerships, tier-2 and tier-3 colleges rarely see top companies on campus. This leaves students without internships or exposure to real-world problems.
   

4. Cultural Mindset: A toxic cycle of demotivation pervades these colleges. Seniors often tell freshers, “This place is worthless,” setting a tone of defeat from day one.
   

5. Economic Pressures: The 2023 recession and MNC layoffs hit tier-2 and tier-3 colleges hardest, with bulk recruiters scaling back campus visits.
   

What’s Happening Now? Indicators of Change

Despite the gloom, there are signs of progress. Government initiatives are reskilling students in AI, cybersecurity, and data science. Edtech platforms are filling the gap with accessible, industry-aligned courses. Some tier-2 colleges are setting up incubation cells and inviting startups for placements, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Yet, the pace is very slow. 74% of engineering roles now require skills in AI, blockchain, or IoT—areas where tier-2 and tier-3 colleges lag. Meanwhile, some companies are hiring tier-3 graduates at salaries matching their Top school counterparts (e.g., Amazon’s ₹43 lakh CTC), proving that skills, not college pedigree, are the ultimate currency.

"Campus placements have become PR tools for colleges, not a true measure of capability. Tier-2 and tier-3 students need to bypass this system and leverage online platforms for skills and jobs."

“There’s a 15-year gap between academia and industry. Colleges can’t keep up with tech’s pace, so students must take charge of their learning.”

The Future: What Lies Ahead?

The skill gap will widen before it narrows. By 2030, 48% of employers will seek interdisciplinary engineers with skills in business, economics, and sustainability—areas tier-2 and tier-3 colleges barely touch. Emerging roles like AI ethics consultants and robotics engineers will demand a blend of technical and soft skills, putting pressure on these institutions to evolve.

But there’s hope. The democratization of education through online platforms is leveling the playing field. Tier-3 students who upskill early can outshine their tier-1 peers. Colleges that adopt project-based learning, industry internships, and first-principles thinking workshops will produce graduates who thrive.

Disrupting the Status Quo

1. Reverse Mentorship: What if tier-3 students mentored faculty on emerging tech? Students often explore AI or blockchain on their own—colleges could formalize this to update curricula dynamically.

   
   

2. Virtual Industry Hubs: Imagine tier-2 colleges pooling resources to create virtual “industry labs” where students collaborate with global firms remotely, bypassing the need for on-campus recruiters.
   

3. Skill-First Hiring: Companies could shift to blind hiring, ignoring college tiers and focusing solely on skills tested via hackathons or portfolios. This would force colleges to prioritize practical training.

   
   

For Satrangi Gurukul Members

By 2030, the engineering landscape will be unrecognizable. AI-driven automation will eliminate low-skill jobs, making interdisciplinary expertise non-negotiable. Tier-2 and tier-3 colleges that fail to adapt will become obsolete, but those that embrace innovation, through hackathons, open-source projects, and industry tie-ups, will thrive. Students who master Python, AI frameworks, and soft skills like emotional intelligence will command salaries rivaling Top School graduates. The rise of short-term, globally recognized courses will empower tier-3 students to bypass traditional placements entirely.

Exclusive - Ideas for Satrangi Gurukul Readers  

1. Start Early, Skill Smart: Enroll in free platforms like NPTEL or Coursera in your first year. Focus on Python, AI, and cloud computing—skills with universal demand.
   

2. Build a Portfolio: Contribute to open-source projects on GitHub or compete in hackathons on GeeksforGeeks. A strong portfolio tops a degree.
   

3. Network Relentlessly: Join LinkedIn groups, attend virtual industry seminars, and connect with alumni. Relationships open doors that grades can’t.
   

4. Think Like an Entrepreneur: Launch a small tech project (e.g., an app or blog). It showcases initiative and problem-solving to recruiters.
   

5. Master Soft Skills: Practice communication and critical thinking through student clubs or online courses.
   

6. Bypass Campus Placements: Apply directly to startups or SMEs via satrangigurukul@gmail.com or platforms. They value skills over pedigree.

   
   

7. Stay Ahead of Trends: Follow our reports to anticipate skills like blockchain or IoT that will dominate in the near future.
   

Consider micro-credentials, short, stackable certifications from platforms. These are cheaper than a master’s degree and signal expertise to employers. For example, a Google Cloud certification can land you a ₹20 lakh job straight out of a tier-3 college.

Your college tier doesn’t define you, your skills do. Take charge, upskill relentlessly, and turn the system’s flaws into your stepping stones. Satrangi Gurukul is your partner in this journey, stay curious, stay bold, and rewrite your future.

-Satrangi Gurukul (satrangigurukul@gmail.com)