Talent is not limited to big cities alone. You will often find the most brilliant minds thriving in Tier 2 cities. Mid-sized cities like Ahmedabad are now the new talent hubs as interested employers seek prospective candidates from these high-potential cities for myriad strategic and economic reasons. Not that non-metro city employees have low salary expectations, but because of the skills they develop despite the odds that continue to plague small-town people.

Today’s HR leaders recognise the ardent need to develop and manage talent in emerging cities like Ahmedabad, where tomorrow’s talent beckons today’s visionaries with an eye for next-generation professionals.

In a thought-provoking discussion on ‘Navigating Ahmedabad’s Talent Landscape: Strategic HR for Future-Ready Industries’ at People Matters SurgeHR 2025 event in Ahmedabad, industry leaders Rupak Rathore, Head -HR and L&D, Zydus Biologics and Vaccine’s Zydus Group; Bimal Vyas, Head HR- Strategy, Astral Limited share their views on how they are crafting opportunities in a local talent pool setting. The session was moderated by Ashwin S, Head of Product Excellence, Zoho. Some of the key highlights from the session were: 

From mills to molecules

Ahmedabad has long been a manufacturing and pharma stronghold. This has involved a lot of changes, especially with a lot of evolution in the talent workspace. Opining on how he views this in terms of his industry and the bigger picture, Rupak Rathore of Zydus said, “Ahmedabad has long been a productive hub for pharma and manufacturing. But in today’s evolving talent landscape, it’s no longer just about salary. With four generations in the workforce—from Boomers to Gen Z—the real challenge is integration. That’s not just an Ahmedabad issue, it’s an industry-wide imperative.”

Forging the path to inclusion

Labeling Ahmedabad for its textile industries alone will not do. There is more to this city, like its fast pace and its agile economic system, that explains how some of the most established industries coexist with emerging startups. The city’s rapidly changing economic climate holds substantial potential, with its talent ecosystem also vying for opportunities further and beyond the city’s landscape.

Like Rathore rightly put it, “Ahmedabad’s ease of living - less traffic, better commute - is its biggest advantage. After cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, it’s becoming a preferred destination, with more professionals choosing to move here.”

On challenges that impede HR managers from attracting and retaining the right talent for their industry, he shared, “While Ahmedabad is gaining popularity among professionals, one overlooked challenge is housing—especially for single employees. Bachelors often struggle to find accommodation. If companies can’t provide it directly, even helping them secure nearby housing could make a big difference.”

Taking care of employee goals

Urban centres with all their better facilities and technological advancements have turned into major magnets for talent. But cut-throat competition for skilled workers entails high costs. HR leaders are now finding ways to encourage local talent into their vast resource pool. The challenges are myriad, and equally convincing are the opportunities for local candidates. However, it is not enough to attract the right talent. The key is to nurture and retain talent to ensure a company’s success. Bimal Vyas of Astral shared, “Today’s talent isn’t just chasing paychecks—they’re seeking culture, leadership, and an environment that fuels growth. Especially among younger professionals, there’s a clear shift: they don’t just want to grow within the organisation, they want to grow with it—aligned in purpose, pace, and possibility.”

The silent strength of the Ahmedabad people

What’s one hidden truth about Ahmedabad’s workforce that external observers often fail to recognise? In Ahmedabad, what many outsiders tend to underestimate is the city’s silent strength when it comes to talent. This strength is made up of a few key elements—foremost among them is a deep-rooted ambition. One would be hard-pressed to find a more driven and determined workforce anywhere else in the country. People here are not only highly ambitious but also genuinely committed to creating something different and meaningful.

Undoubtedly, Ahmedabad is open to change, though there is an imperative necessity to be a little more fast-paced with prominent and inclined HR leaders already willing to ring in employment opportunities for the people there.

People Matters' flagship roadshow series, SurgeHR travelled across India’s growing cities. With Ahmedabad being its third stop after Pune & Chennai on the theme “The Seismic Shift: Growing cities leading India’s next talent frontier,” exploring the change and opportunities in India's new hubs of innovation and excellence.