In a significant move that reflects the ongoing challenges in the IT industry, Infosys has let go of 240 entry-level employees after they failed to clear internal assessments. This follows a similar round of layoffs in February when over 300 trainees were terminated under the same circumstances.
The impacted trainees were part of the company’s “Generic Foundation Training Program” and had been given multiple chances—including additional preparation time, doubt-clearing sessions, and three attempts—to qualify. Despite the support, they were unable to meet the expected standards, prompting the company to end their apprenticeship journey.
In an email sent on April 18th, Infosys informed these trainees about the outcome and outlined the next steps. “You have not met the qualifying criteria… and as a result, you will not be able to continue your journey for the apprenticeship program,” the email read.
However, in a bid to soften the blow, Infosys has extended a hand of support. The company is offering free external upskilling programs through NIIT and UpGrad, tailored to help the affected employees pursue alternative career paths. Those interested in BPM (Business Process Management) roles can opt for training via UpGrad, while those seeking to strengthen their IT fundamentals will receive training through NIIT.
These upskilling offers are not just limited to the current batch — even those trainees who were impacted in February can enroll in these programs at no cost.
Additionally, Infosys is offering one month’s pay, travel allowance, and accommodation assistance for relocating from the Mysuru training center to Bengaluru or their hometowns.
The layoffs come at a time when Infosys is navigating a subdued demand environment, with the company forecasting revenue growth between 0% to 3% for the current fiscal year. This reflects the uncertainty in its key markets, including the US and Europe, where clients have been hesitant to invest in new technology projects.
It’s worth noting that the trainees who were let go had waited over two and a half years after completing their engineering degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them were hired via virtual interviews and onboarded as System Engineers (SE) and Digital Specialist Engineers (DSE).
In a recent statement on April 17, Infosys said it plans to onboard 20,000 freshers this fiscal year, despite the ongoing market headwinds. The company had hired over 15,000 freshers in the previous year.
As Infosys continues to balance talent supply with evolving client demands, these developments underscore the growing need for adaptability, reskilling, and performance-based career progression in the IT industry.
