The Indian IT sector’s fresher hiring landscape is expected to see a transformation in the current fiscal.  As technology evolves, employers in the Indian IT sector are expected to value adaptability, innovation, and problem-solving skills over traditional qualifications. Candidates adept in emerging technologies and on the path of continuous learning are seeing an increase in demand. AI, ML, Cybersecurity, Cloud computing, data science and analytics, blockchain technology, IoT are some of the areas that will see an increase in the hiring of freshers. 

As per recent reports, IT hiring seems to pick up in the second half of the fiscal year,  witnessing an increase by 10-12 percent. As per experts, this is a positive signal amidst economic uncertainties. Lokesh Nigam, CEO and co-founder,  Konverz.ai, said, “Organisations are recognising that the freshers have the ability to bring new perspective, and adaptability, making them essential for driving innovation and agility in fast-evolving domains. Despite the economic slowdown,  there are several areas in the IT sector such as automation, and data analytics which are showing exponential growth. Start-ups and mid-sized tech firms, in particular, are leveraging fresh talent to stay competitive while keeping operational costs in check. Having said that, IT companies largely invest in upskilling and reskilling, which subsequently helps in building skilled workforce, ready for future challenges. With the continued emphasis on digital infrastructure and a shift towards sustainable technology solutions, fresher hiring is likely to remain a critical component of the IT sector’s growth strategy.” 

The revival of fresher hiring in the  IT sector is being fuelled by strong demand, particularly in IT services, where companies like TCS are reporting high deal pipelines. “This growth is driving the need for fresh talent to meet expanding project demands. In line with TCS’s performance, several major blue-chip companies are set to release their quarterly results this week, and it is expected they will follow similar trends, further boosting the demand for freshers. While the supply of graduates has increased due to limited hiring in the last two years, companies are eager to absorb this talent to meet their growing needs,” remarked Bhavesh Goswami,  founder and CEO, CloudThat.

The areas for hiring freshers in the IT industry will be AI and ML as these technologies continue to transform and there is a significant demand for graduates skilled in developing intelligent algorithms, data analysis, and creating automation solutions. The same is the case with cybersecurity  as with the rising number of cyber threats, organisations will require fresh talent adept at protecting sensitive data, developing security protocols, and ensuring robust defense mechanisms against potential breaches. 

Cloud computing will also see an increase in hiring. “The shift towards cloud-based solutions necessitates expertise in cloud infrastructure management, deployment, and maintenance. Graduates with knowledge of platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google  Cloud will be highly sought after. Besides this, data science and analytics will be the next areas that will see increased hiring as the ability to interpret vast amounts of data to drive business decisions has become crucial. Companies will seek graduates proficient in data mining, statistical analysis, and data visualisation techniques. Similarly, Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become increasingly prevalent and there will be a demand for professionals who can develop and manage interconnected systems and ensure seamless integration with existing technologies,” Jackson  Johnson, senior manager, Global Talent Acquisition, Silicon Labs. 

He also adds  that despite the emergence of different areas for fresher hiring there will always be demand for software development with a focus on agile methodologies, full-stack development, and proficiency in multiple programming languages. “The rise of blockchain for secure and transparent transactions will also drive the  need for graduates who understand blockchain architecture and can develop  decentralized applications,” said Johnson. 

However, experts feel that challenges remain, such as the skills gap between academic knowledge and practical industry  requirements. 

Bridging this gap requires collaboration between education and the IT industry to align curricula with real-world needs. “The onboarding process for remote workers poses another  challenge, necessitating robust virtual programs for smooth integration.  Additionally, the competitive IT sector demands companies offer attractive compensation, career development, and positive work  environments to attract top talent,” remarked Johnson. 

A BUDGET supermarket has launched whopping XXL pigs in blankets for Christmas – and it’s not Aldi or Lidl.

The big day is still 63 days away, but it’s always good to plan ahead for the merry season and get the seasonal food in.

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With Christmas fast approaching, Iceland has released its Pigs in Blankets range – and it doesn’t disappoint.

The 2 XXL Footlong Pigs in Blankets have stolen the show however – and by the reaction of a similar product at Iceland, customers won’t be able to get enough of them.

One reviewer on the similar item said: “The whole family loved these, really succulent sausages, really good value for money and so tasty!”

Another commented: “Amazing! Proper sausages wrapped in ridiculous amount of bacon!”

And: “A lot bigger than I thought it would be and a very nice taste and easy to cook. Would recommend to anyone who can’t resist a good pig in blanket.”

But the price is just as impressive, selling for only £5 for two.

And there appears to be nothing else on the market similar.

The range also has an incredible Pig in Blanket Giant Baked Yorkshire Pudding that would be a crowd-pleaser at the Christmas dinner table for just £5.

And a Pinwheel Pig in Blanket that’s £5 is also available if you fancy something different to the conventional pigs in blankets.

But for those looking for the normal ones, various options will be available that range from £2.25 to £4.

Iceland recently revealed it’s Christmas 2024 range that will be available in stores and online from November 12.

The items will also be available to buy at Iceland’s The Food Warehouse.

Iceland‘s menu this year offers customers everything they’ll need for Christmas lunch or dinner, but there are some quirky items included as well in case you’re after something a bit different.

Shoppers will be able to feast on mini fish, chip and ketchup sarnies, prawn tacos and an unbelievable XXL pigs in blankets Yorkshire pudding.

The supermarket is also launching battered lobster tails, mini garlic and herb kievs and even some exclusive brands items like Harry Ramsden’s battered mini sausages.

Also returning are familiar favourites such as the turkey crown, mince pies, Christmas pudding and of course all the trimmings like roast potatoes and veg.

Those who want to feast on the exclusive brands range like Galaxy, TGI Fridays and Harry Ramsden’s can do so with the mix-and-match deals like three items for £10.

Iceland’s head of development David Lennox said: “We’ve focused on perfecting the classics and making them the best and most delicious yet, as well as offering our customers a range of innovative and affordable new Christmas products which are sure to delight everyone at the dinner table.

“Iceland has some extra special products on offer this festive season.”

And here’s the full list of festive items Iceland shoppers can get their hands on.

Iceland is yet to confirm some of the prices so keep your eyes peeled when you visit its stores later this year.

Christmas traditional favourites:

• Iceland Xmas Dinner in a box – £25.00
• Iceland Battered Lobster Tails – £20.00
• Butterball Turkeys – £35.00
• Iceland Beef Wellington – £26.00
• Iceland Ultimate XL Cooked Lobster – £15.00
• Iceland Pigs in Blanket Pinwheel – £5.00

Exclusive Brands Party:

• TGI Fridays Loaded Fries X2 Flavours – £5.00
• Harry Ramsden’s Battered Mini Sausages 16 Pack with Chip Shop Curry Sauce – £4.00 (3 for £5)
• TGI Fridays Hunters Chicken Potato Bites – £4.00

Luxury Party: 

• Iceland Doughball Xmas Tree – £4.00
• Iceland Mini Cottage Pies / PiBS Yorkshire Puddings – £4.00
• Iceland Prawn Tacos – £4.00
• Mini Lemon Meringue Pies – £4.00

Innovation products:

• Iceland Beechwood Smoked Treacle Gammon – £14.00
• Iceland Lobster Thermidor – £15.00
• Iceland Pigs in Blanket Yorkshire Pudding XXL – £4.00
• Iceland Hunters Pigs in Blankets – £4.00 (3 for £10)
• Iceland White Chocolate Snowman – £8.00
• Luxury Mince Pies – £2.75
• Iceland Lemon Meringue Baked Alaska – £6
• Iceland Mini King Prawn Ring – £2.50
• Iceland Chicken Nugget Lollipops – £2.50
• Iceland Spring Roll Platter – £6.00
• Iceland Cheesy Potato Swirls – £1.00
• Iceland Potato Trees and Stars – £1.00
• Iceland Duck Skewer with Hoisin Sauce – £4.00
• Iceland Mini Cheesecake/ Cake Selections – £4.00

Buy Two, Get One Free Party Food: 

• Iceland Mini Fish & Chip Butty – £2.50
• Iceland Crispy Duck Nuggets – £2.50
• Iceland 8pk Mini Orange Choc Ices – £2.50
• Iceland Choc Hazelnut Churro Bites – £2.50
• Iceland Onion Bhaji Rings – £2.50

Embrace picky bits – Greggs and TGI Fridays: 

• TGI Fridays Coated Skewer with Tennessee Glaze and Sesame – £4.00
• TGI Fridays Cookie Cups – £4.00
• TGI Fridays Mini Ribs – £4.00 (3 for £10)
• Greggs 16 Pack Mini Sausage Rolls – £4.00

Desserts and Bakery:

• Iceland Ultimate Raspberry & Vanilla Macaron Wreath 575g- £10.00
• Galaxy Caramel Fondue Cheesecake – £12.00
• Daily Bakery Cinnamon / Chocolate Wreath – £5.00
• Galaxy Caramel Salted Chocolate Bar – £8.00

Veggie and Vegan:

• Iceland 15 Pack Vegetable Spring Rolls – £1.00
• Iceland 16 Pack Onion Bhajis – £1.00
• Iceland 16 Pack Vegetable Samosas – £1.00
• Iceland 10 Pack Mozzarella Balls – £1.00
• Iceland 10 Pack Mac ‘N’ Cheese Bites – £1.00
• Iceland 12 Battered Salt and Pepper Vegetable Spring Rolls -£2.50
• Iceland 16 Pack Mozzarella Sticks – £2.50
• Iceland Jalapeno Cream Cheese – £2.50
• Iceland 10 Pack Brie Wedges – £2.50
• Iceland 14 Pack Cheese & Garlic Bites – £2.50
• Luxury 4 Pack Camembert Rounds with Cranberry Sauce – £3.50
• Luxury 12 Pack Halloumi Fries – £3.50
• Iceland 80 Pack Indian Platter – £6.00
• TGI Fridays Mozzarella Sticks (FWH) – £3.50
• TGI Fridays 6 Pack Southern Fried Mozzarella XL Dippers – £3.50
• Cathedral City 12 Pack Cheese Bites – £3.75
• TGI Fridays Battered Cheese Toastie – £4.00
• Cathedral City Cheddar with Caramelised Onion – £3.75
• Cathedral City Cheddar with Triple Cheese Bite – £3.75
• TGI Fridays Bacon Mac Cheese Bites – £3.75
• TGI Fridays Jalapeno Poppers – £4.00
• Cathedral City Mac n Cheese Bites – £3.75
• Mozzarella sticks 60 Pack – £6.00
• No Meat No Meat Turkey Roast (vegan offering)
• No Porkies 6 Pack Sausage Roll (vegan offering)
• Iceland Vegan Mac & Cheese Bites (vegan offering)

If you are keen to snap up some of the items from Iceland’s Christmas range, most of its stores are usually open from 7am or 8am until 7pm, and in some cities, they are open until 9pm.

However, hours might vary depending on where you are in the country.

You can find your nearest Iceland store by using the store locator tool on its website.

See what’s on Tesco’s shelves this Christmas including pigs in blankets stuffing.

Plus you can pick up items from posh shop Fortnum and Mason from just £3.50.

Three US-based professors were awarded the Nobel prize in economics on Monday for research into reasons why countries succeed and others fail based on the political and economic systems introduced by colonisers. 

Daron Acemoglu (57), Simon Johnson (61) and James A. Robinson (64) were awarded the Nobel prize. The three economists’ research focuses on the differences in prosperity between nations. 

“The laureates demonstrated that this led to a reversal of fortune. The places that were, relatively speaking, the richest at their time of colonisation are now among the poorest,” the Nobel prize announcement said. 

It added that this is an important reason why former colonies that were once rich are now poor and vice versa.

The Nobel committee of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said the three economists have demonstrated the importance of societal institutions for a country’s prosperity.

Societies with a poor rule of law and institutions that exploit the population do not generate growth or change for the better. The laureates’ research helps us understand why, it added.

Who are Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson?

Acemoglu and Johnson work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Robison conducts his research at the University of Chicago. The duo had co-authored a book last year, Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity. 

Acemoglu is a Turkish-American economist born in 1967. Acemoglu is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received the John Bates Clark Medal in 2005 and was named an Institute Professor at MIT in 2019. 

Simon Johnson is a British American economist. Born in 1963, Johnson was chief economist of the International Monetary Fund. He is a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. 

James A. Robinson is a British economist and political scientist. He is currently a professor at Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago. He previously taught at Harvard University between 2004 and 2015. Robinson studied economics at the London School of Economics (BSc), the University of Warwick (MA) and Yale University (PhD).

Jakob Svensson, Chair of the Committee for the Prize in Economic Sciences, said reducing the vast differences in income between countries is one of our time’s greatest challenges. The laureates have demonstrated the importance of societal institutions for achieving this, he added.

He said their research has provided “a much deeper understanding of the root causes of why countries fail or succeed.

UK-born Johnson is also known for a brief stint at the International Monetary Fund from March 2007 to August 2008. 

Robinson, a professor at the University of Chicago, wrote a book with Acemoglu – Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty, which was published in 2012. 

A TERRACED house with a garden and garage has hit the market for just £10 – but there’s a catch.

The property is located in the stunning Welsh Valleys in the quaint village of Tylorstown.

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But the tiny £10 guide price is explained by the house’s decrepit interior, with scrap furniture piled high and walls stripped of their plaster.

The house, which is barely more than skeleton, is generously described by auctioneers as “open plan”.

And while it won’t be for the faint-hearted, it could be the perfect fixer-upper for keen profit hunters.

The property boasts a forecourt, rear garden and garage and is near a host of cafes, shops and restaurants in the bustling town of Ferndale.

Sean Roper, who works for Paul Fosh Auctions, believes it has the potential to fit two or even three bedrooms once renovated.

He added that the property had been “stripped back ready for upgrading and improvement” – and that the right buyer will “transform” it into a “comfortable and generously sized” abode.

It is conveniently situation four miles from Porth train station and a 45-minute drive from Cardiff.

Those interested will need to move fast as the auction will only run for just over 48 hours – beginning on November 5 and closing on November 7 at 5pm.

It comes after another Welsh property hit the market for a staggering £0.

But, much like the Tylorstown house, it was in dire need of a makeover, having been destroyed by a fire.

Meanwhile, prospective buyers this week spotted that an entire street was up for sale – including 12 terraced houses.

It didn’t come cheap, though – with starting bids set at an eye-watering £1.5 million.

Home shoppers have also been presented with a flurry of properties with quirky interior features – like a quaint cottage in Dover with its very own cave.

And a two-bed property in the West Midlands concealed a more unsettling secret – with a mountain of junk and abandoned belongings inside.

Inside UK’s ‘worst’ hoarder house

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MUMMIFIED cats were found by cleaners who were sent to clean a house stuffed to the rafters.

In fact, the Lancashire house was so cluttered cleaners needed a ladder to climb through a second-storey window to reach the upper floor.

It took cleaners 45 hours to clean the house from all the rubbish, in a “worst-case” of hoarding they had ever seen, using dozens of skips.

The teams were tasked with clearing the home after the homeowner, a man in his 70s, had died.

Much of the house was jam-packed full of old phone equipment as the man wanted start a phone exchange business, which is where the hoarding began in the 1990s.

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“Over the years he collected mounds of telecom technology. He began storing these telecom artifacts in containers.

“Then, when they were full he began filling under the floorboards,” a Blanchards spokesperson said.

The only space in the house was an armchair next to the cats, where the man spent all of his time.

The man had a hoarding disorder after analysis of the trash revealed he had been unable to throw anything away for upwards of three decades.

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By James Halpin

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Reliance Industries, the conglomerate with highest market capitalisation in the country, is planning to buy a stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, according to a report.

ALSO READ: How Bollywood’s Big Daddy Karan Johar built his empire

Karan Johar has been trying to monetise his stake for a while but the plan got shelved due to disagreement over valuation, reported The Economic Times. 

Karan Johar owns 90.7 per cent stake in the company while his mother, Hiroo Johar, has 9.24 per cent. The percentage of stake under negotiation has not been revealed.

The revelation about the deal comes as Bollywood studios have been facing challenges amid emergence of OTT platforms and plunge in the number of theatre-goers.

Johar had earlier held talks with Saregama for a stake sale but last week the Sanjiv Goenka-led company stated in a regulatory filing that there were no significant updates in the discussions.

The Mukesh Ambani-owned company already has Jio Studios and Viacom18 Studios in its content portfolio besides a minority stake in Balaji Telefilms.

Reliance Industries had earlier joined forces with Walt Disney to merge their JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar to crush the market reign of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. If the conglomerate merges the content from both platforms, the new entity could become the largest OTT service in the country offering Hollywood and desi entertainment content besides rights to major sports events like IPL.

THOUSANDS of vulnerable households could get free cash and energy saving appliances this winter.

Gadgets such as air-fryers and heated blankets are now being given out by charities to people who are struggling with their energy bills.

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This comes as The Cadent Foundation launches a £2million Emergency Support Fund in time for the colder months.

The fund has now been distributed between its many charity partners, including Citizens Advice and Groundwork, as well as other smaller charities across the UK.

Each charity is using a slice of the funding to give out the gadgets, food vouchers and energy vouchers to help households struggling with fuel poverty.

The amount of money you can get is not specific and depends on the charity you’re talking to,.

Households can also claim heating and cooking appliances which use little energy so cost less money to run – saving them crucial cash on their monthly bill.

The boost will be available until March, and each household can receive up to two vouchers as well as the appliances they need.

The fund is specifically designed for people who are already in connection with a charity.

If you are currently seeking help it is therefore a good idea to check whether yours is benefiting from the scheme so you can too.

Once you have contacted them, they will distribute help the best they can with the following items:

• Food vouchers
• Energy vouchers
• Slow Cookers
• Air Fryers
• Self-heating mattress toppers
• Duvets
• Heated blankets
• Foot warmers
• Mini ovens
• Microwaves

Ranjit Blythe, managing director of the Cadent Foundation, said: “It’s a mistake for anyone to think that the cost of living crisis is over and we’ve seen, first hand, through all our projects, the impact of fuel poverty on the most vulnerable.

“With the recent price cap changes and removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance for many pensioners, we’re worried that those who may have just about managed last year, will now be tipped into fuel poverty.”

Those who are in touch with a charity and have recently lost their winter fuel payment could particularly benefit from the fund, so we advise they seek help where it is available.

Here’s the full list of charities handing out the latest help in each area.

North West:

• Blackpool Coastal Housing – Blackpool CH tenants
• Care Network (Blackburn and Darwen)
• Energy Project Plus (Wallasey)
• Citizens Advice (Burnley, Knowsley, Liverpool)
• Groundwork (West Lancashire, East Lancashire, Liverpool, Merseyside, Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Blackburn, Blackpool and Flyde Coast, South Lakeland, Barrow-in-Furness, Greater Manchester)

West Mids:

Citizens Advice (Birmingham, Sandwell)

• Groundwork (Birmingham, Coventry, Black Country, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke, Herefordshire)
• Wrekin Housing Association (Shropshire, Staffordshire, Telford, Wrekin) – only Wrekin tenants
• Act on Energy (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton, Worcestershire)

East Mids:

• Nottingham Energy Partnership (Nottinghamshire)
• Citizens Advice (Lincoln)
• Groundwork (Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire – Barnsley, Rotherham, Sheffield)

East of England:

• Citizens Advice (Norwich, Ipswich)
• Groundwork (Braintree, Colchester)

North London:

• Renewal Programme (Newham)
• Groundwork (Newham, Hounslow, Thames Valley, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Harrow, Hillingdon/Hayes, Brent, Barnet, Maidenhead, South Bucks)

What is the winter fuel payment and who is eligible?

The winter fuel payment is issued to state pensioners on certain benefits to help cover the cost of hiked up energy bills over the colder season.

Previously, the winter fuel payment was available to anyone of state pension age, which is currently 66, but this autumn the government scrapped the scheme for millions.

Now pensioners must also be in receipt of pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits to qualify for the payment.

The payment will be made automatically to eligible bank accounts in November or December, so you do not need to apply.

It is important that if you are a pensioner and struggling to heat your home this winter you still turn it on, and reach out for financial support.

Other support available for pensioners and struggling households

If you fall into debt, many suppliers have grant schemes for struggling customers who can’t afford their bills.

For example, British Gas has set aside over £140 million this winter to help both customers and non-customers through its Individuals and Families Support Fund.

There are conditions to apply, and how much you can get depends on your circumstance – so it’s worth reading over the conditions on the website.

Octopus Energy is also offering discretionary credit of between £50 and £200 to pensioners this winter.

It has also promised it will distribute 20,000 electric blankets from Dreamland to its most vulnerable customers.

You can also get in touch with your council and see what help is available through the Household Support Fund.

This government scheme operates through your constituency and can get you free grants, electric blankets and white goods replacements.

To find out what help is available, visit its website and search “Household Support Fund”.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories