CHENNAI: The Confederation of Indian Industry has recommended special training skills for arts and science students in Tamil Nadu to qualify them for the jobs projected in the Information Technology and IT Enabled Services sector over the next 10 years.

A recent CII study has projected around 4.5 lakh jobs in the IT sector and 3.5 lakh jobs in the ITES sectors in 10 years.

To meet these requirements, the Confederation has suggested that graduate students be trained in the use of computer, ITES skills and product selling skills.

The study, `Mapping of human resources skills in Tamil Nadu,' identified IT and ITES to be among the primary growth engines of the State. By 2015, the IT industry in the State, which is expected to grow at a compounded annual rate of 19-20 per cent, could reach the size of $17 billion-$20 billion, while the ITES with a corresponding growth of 22-23 per cent could become a $10 billion-$12 billion industry.

As of now, the IT industry employs 80,000 people in Tamil Nadu; it is expected to generate another 4,50,000 jobs by 2015. In the ITES sector, which now employs 65,000 people, another 350,000 jobs can be provided.

Gaps identified

The study has identified several skill gaps. In general, these industries "lack people with strong business process understanding, analytical skills, learnability — the ability to learn new applications quickly and to work with multiple teams in different geographies," a CII spokesperson said.

Currently, the average annual output of an IT employee is around Rs. 20 lakhs and that of an ITES employee, Rs. 15 lakhs. Though there is a "significant improvement in the productivity level, the increasing share of off-shore business and pressure on pricing will offset the productivity gains in the future."

The study wanted the educational institutions to train the students in time management, stress handling and communication skills.

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