With the business landscape evolving at an unprecedented pace, there is a critical need for professionals to be equipped with new-age skills and technologies to avoid being left behind.   

A learner must make mindful educational choices to assist them in their career path. This is where Executive Education comes into play. The programme is a specialised form of learning designed to enhance the leadership and management skills of experienced professionals, enabling them to address contemporary business challenges. It offers a platform for executives to acquire cutting-edge knowledge, strategic thinking, and practical insights that can be applied to one’s respective organisations to yield positive results. Several prominent institutes are offering programmes to mid-level to senior-level professionals based on the changing industry requirements.  The programmes vary in duration. While some may be full-time courses, others may be hybrid or online certification courses.  

“The pursuit of knowledge must be relentless. Executive Education is the compass that guides leaders to navigate the complexities of this dynamic world. With waves of change brought about by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science in the present-day work environment, we recently introduced the BTech programme for working professionals, who need to manage it along with their demanding work schedules. These courses emphasise practical skills and real-world application. Upskilling courses are important for an individual to retain relevance,” says Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University.  

Upskill while still at job
“While Executive Education programmes are getting a lot of traction, a general MBA programme itself is getting shorter. Any individual who is pursuing management education is probably going to think about forgoing revenues, and potential earnings. Executive Education helps those who are not willing to let go of their jobs and upskill at the same time, so it is the best of both worlds,” Karthikeyan Balakumar, a faculty member at IIM Sirmaur told Education Times.  “It helps one to have classroom engagement while they are working. Several new models are emerging, people are trying to do micro courses. Simultaneously, several companies are also creating their learning modules,” says Advaita, another faculty of IIM Sirmaur.   

“Our collaboration with premier institutions such as IIMs and IITs provides tailored executive programmes to bridge the skill gap which is the key concern of many CEOs today,” says Nikhil Barshikar, founder and MD, Imarticus Learning, adding, “The faculty pool consists of industry experts and distinguished professors from IIMs and IITs.”   

“Our Executive Education courses such as General Management Programme, Advanced Management Programme in Financial Services and Capital Markets, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Sales and Marketing, AI for Business, People Leadership and Strategic HR, Supply Chain Management and Analytics, etc., are crafted to foster a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and strategies. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge, state-of-the-art technologies, practical case studies and instructions from industry experts, participants upskill themselves. These competencies empower them to confidently lead teams, stay in the know about the latest technologies and drive organisational success, says Barshikar.   

Jeevan J Arakal, marketing chairman, Executive Education, at T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) says, “We can see an unprecedented explosion of online education programmes. Companies are also sending their employees for trainings.”    

In 2022, TAPMI, a business school in Manipal, introduced a two-year online MBA in Banking and Financial Services for working executives. The course addresses skill sets for performing roles in capital markets, corporate finance, banking, and financial analytics.   

Upskilling and reskilling
“There is a dearth of qualified professionals at the intermediate and advanced levels. Executive Education is helping professionals grow while being in their jobs,” says Arakal. TAPMI plans to introduce an Executive MBA in Data Science and Machine Learning in the next academic year, he adds.   

Talking about a transforming workforce and the need for more Executive programmes, Radha Abrol, managing director, Accenture says, “Upskilling and reskilling play an important role in bridging the gaps that exist in the technology and analytics domains. With technology changing every year, there is a need for cutting-edge solutions.”

Doing an Executive Education helped Arjun Goyal, business development manager, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), The Netherlands. Goyal, a former student of IIM-Ahmedabad, says, “The programme helped me gain confidence, pick up business cases, understand fundamentals concepts. I was upskilling without leaving my job.”  

“We’ve witnessed numerous success stories of professionals who have elevated their careers after completing these programmes. Our alumni have been placed globally in prominent positions across various industries, ranging from multinational corporations to start-ups,” says Barshikar.   “The commitment to deliver industry-relevant education led us to partner with IIMs and IITs. While we currently focus on this collaboration, we are in conversation with more Indian and global institutes that share our vision for Executive Education excellence,” he adds.