India’s workforce is changing quickly as technology transforms industries and this is creating huge demand for short-term learning programs. Experts in the industry believes that, automation and artificial intelligence becoming part of everyday work, professionals now see education not as something you finish once in life, but as something you keep coming back to.
“Skills are the new currency in an AI-driven economy,” says Akshay Mehrotra, Co-founder and Group CEO of Fibe. He explains that today’s job market is pushing young professionals to treat education as a long-term career investment.
A 2024 NASSCOM report highlights this shift, showing that nearly 70% of employees in India’s IT sector believe reskilling is necessary to stay relevant. Professions in areas like data science and cybersecurity are seeing the fastest growth.
From degrees to certifications
Earlier, education loans were mostly linked with long-term degrees. But things have changed, financing is now extending to skilling and certification courses too. “We saw a clear gap in education financing for salaried professionals in the middle-income group,” Mehrotra said. “They had very few options to fund short-term courses, so that’s why we entered this space.”
This reflects a global trend. A 2023 OECD study found that certificate programs in technology, business and healthcare often provide quicker employability than some traditional degrees. Many young professionals now choose courses based on flexible credit options that make learning more affordable.
Rising demand in urban states
He noted that the highest demand for upskilling is coming from states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, home to India’s largest corporate hubs. These cities lead in IT, fintech and financial services.
Fibe’s own survey found strong demand for courses that combine technology and business, like data science, investment banking, and digital marketing. “We are seeing a growing appetite for technical and marketing-oriented courses,” Mehrotra notes, pointing to how closely this demand follows job market trends in urban centers.
Online learning and financing gaps
The rise of short online learning programs has also changed the way professionals think about financing. Upskilling is no longer optional, it’s necessary. He explains, “People who’ve taken upskilling courses often see their careers advance, but many face budget constraints. This is where accessible financing becomes vital.”
EdTech reports back this up, projecting that India’s executive education market could hit $10 billion by 2030, with strong demand from 25-35-year-old professionals. Embedded financing, where loans are tied directly to course enrollment, is emerging as a key solution.
More women joining in
Another big trend is the rise of women borrowers. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of women using education loans grew nearly nine times on some platforms.
Mehrotra links this to greater awareness of career opportunities and easier access to digital credit. “Women are showing more confidence in upskilling, supported by flexible financing options,” he said. With women now making up 37% of India’s workforce, according to World Bank data, their growing participation is set to boost education financing even further.
Partnerships shaping the future
Collaboration is also playing a big role. Financial companies are partnering with universities, EdTech firms, and training institutes to build financing directly into the learning process. “This removes financial barriers and enables more young professionals to pursue their aspirations,” Mehrotra adds.
According to an EY report, such partnerships could be game-changing for students in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, where affordability is still the biggest challenge.