Hyderabad: Telangana aims to transform its youth into a globally competitive workforce through focused efforts on skilling, reskilling, and upskilling, Minister for IT and Industries D. Sridhar Babu said on Friday. The conference showcased how skills drive Telangana as it prepares young professionals for global challenges. He addressed the “FIESTA 2026” conference on talent acquisition at HITEC City.
According to the Minister, skills are becoming the primary drivers of economic growth. He emphasised the need for continuous learning to ensure adaptability in a changing global landscape. Telangana, he added, is evolving beyond a job-creating state and positioning itself as a long-term strategic partner for global industry. This progress demonstrates that skills drive Telangana forward in workforce development.
Skills drive Telangana agenda in global workforce transformation
Citing the Union Economic Survey’s 7% GDP growth projection, Sridhar Babu noted that sustaining such momentum demands institutional reform alongside investment. Stronger governance systems and enhanced organisational capacity will be essential for long-term development. In fact, robust reform shows how skills drive Telangana and fuel its economic growth.
He also underscored the importance of structural change in adopting artificial intelligence. “AI must be embedded in core processes, not treated as an add-on,” he said.
To support this vision, Telangana is relying on institutions such as AI University, Skill University, AIKAM, and Young India International Schools. These bodies are central to building a pool of high-quality human capital. Evidently, skills drive Telangana efforts to become a leader in innovative talent development.
The conference brought together HR leaders from global firms, including Social Talent founder Johnny Campbell, Carolan Global Solutions MD Pawan Sachdeva, and CrowdStrike VP Rajesh Menon. Actor and author Mandira Bedi also addressed the gathering.
At the Future of Intelligent and Evolved Strategies in Talent Acquisition (Fiesta) 2026 conference at HITEC City, the emphasis was on building Telangana’s youth into a globally competitive workforce through focused skilling, reskilling and upskilling. As economies evolve, skills… pic.twitter.com/4hM6uWlD4M
— Sridhar Babu Duddilla (@OffDSB) January 30, 2026