Technology & Business Convergence To Continue To Redefine Job Roles: Sanket Atal, Salesforce

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, equipping the youth with relevant skills and preparing them for the job market is paramount. Salesforce, a global leader in customer relationship management (CRM), has taken up the responsibility of nurturing young talent through its innovative youth skill development programmes. Spearheading this initiative at Salesforce is Sanket Atal, Managing Director, Operations & Site Lead-Technology, who shed light on the opportunities available to young individuals in the organisation and the profound impact these programmes have on their career journeys. He shared, “The Salesforce ecosystem is thriving in India, where we have more Salesforce developers and Trailhead users than in any other region outside of the United States. The demand for skills has only increased in the last few years, giving everyone in the Salesforce ecosystem a tremendous career opportunity.”

Citing data from an International Data Corporation (IDC) report, he revealed that the Salesforce Economy in India is projected to create 1.3 million jobs and generate USD 66.4 billion in new business revenues by 2026. Additionally, Salesforce's growth is driving significant opportunities for its partner ecosystem in India, with a projected ratio of USD 6.55 in business revenue for every USD 1 Salesforce makes locally by 2026.

One of the key initiatives Sanket discussed was Trailhead, Salesforce's free learning platform that provides individuals with access to learning resources and modules focused on Salesforce skills. Atal highlighted its effectiveness in enabling learners to acquire globally-recognised credentials for Salesforce careers, emphasising their partnerships with over 700 universities and colleges worldwide to teach essential Salesforce skills to the digital workforce.

Atal shared an inspiring success story that emerged from the Salesforce Supported Virtual Internship, which provides students with firsthand industry experience in Salesforce through Smartinternz. He proudly stated, "We've had over 50,000 students with credentials who completed the programme," highlighting the benefits they gained, including digital fluency, foundational skills in Salesforce technology, and networking opportunities. 

Addressing the challenges faced by youth in accessing relevant skills training and employment opportunities, Atal stressed the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including organisations, governments, educational institutions, employers, and nonprofits. He outlined several initiatives Salesforce has implemented to bridge the digital skills gap, such as online instructor-led training delivered by seasoned professionals, self-paced learning on Trailhead at no cost, mentorship sessions to clarify technical queries, and soft skill training to enhance interview skills.

Regarding technology and innovation in youth skill development, Atal emphasised, “Technology is radically shaping the future. The growing convergence between technology and business processes will continue to redefine job roles. We recognise that there is no one skills gap and no one-size-fits-all approach. Besides innovation on our learning platform Trailhead, this Virtual internship programme is an example of how we adapted and innovated leveraging the power of technology.”

The company also organises career fairs and connection events to facilitate connections between learners and potential employers, added Atal.