Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that a degree alone will not be enough to secure a job as technology-driven workplaces and global employment markets continue to evolve.
Speaking at the launch of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Maha Rozgar Melava across the Konkan and Nashik divisions, Fadnavis called for a stronger link between education, skill development and employment, saying continuous upskilling in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum computing will be essential as technology and business requirements change.
“Along with gaining knowledge, acquiring skills is also important. Together, knowledge and skills can guide us through today’s world. Otherwise, just having a degree isn’t enough to get a job,” said Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
He added, “A degree is necessary, but the skills you get along with it are even more important.” The CM told the gathering that the challenges of future jobs would keep changing and that young people would need to continuously learn and update their skills to stay relevant.
The employment drive has registered more than one lakh job seekers and 1,500 employers so far, with participating companies reporting demand for over 25,000 vacancies, according to BW People. The programme also includes a seven-day pre-employment training module covering workplace readiness, communication, personality development and allied soft skills.
Fadnavis said Maharashtra is working to connect its youth with international employment opportunities, citing demand for skilled manpower across more than 28 countries. He noted that the state’s goal is to provide jobs to at least 50,000 people in the first phase, with the remaining registered candidates to be placed over subsequent phases.
The Chief Minister’s remarks align with a broader state policy direction. In November 2025, Fadnavis had asked public universities to align curricula with future skill demands and expand industry partnerships, internships and apprenticeships to improve employability for both domestic and global job markets.
The India Skills Report 2026 pegged national employability at 56.35%, with Maharashtra among the top three states on this measure. The data points to a widening need for scalable, India-first skilling programmes as the state positions itself to supply talent for both domestic industry and international labour markets.
