Campus recruitment by the IT companies is expected to be slower in 2013-14 compared to earlier years and many of the engineering colleges in the Seemandhra region are feeling the pinch.
While the uncertain political climate is said to be one of the reasons, change in the pattern of recruitment and the global economic slowdown are the other vital grounds. Quoting NASSCOM statistics, NRI group of colleges Placement Officer Surendra Babu said that the IT industry is likely to recruit about 1.5 lakh this year, about 17 per cent lower compared to last year.
According to him the shift in the recruiting pattern from ‘Time and Material’ to ‘Just-in-time’ model has affected the process.
“Earlier, the students were picked up by the IT companies on ‘billing per person – per hour’ basis, in anticipation of projects. The students were placed on the bench and the bench strength was showcased to acquire projects. Recession has given rise to the ‘Just-in-time’ model in which students are recruited based on the projects on hand,” he added.
The recruitment speed has come down said MVR College of Engineering Principal K. Sambasiva Rao. “But this is the reality. Even the dreamy salaries have settled down to reasonable packages. Today, the annual package in a top company varies between Rs.3.09 to Rs.3.2,” he added.
The uncertain political climate in Seemandhra has turned the scenario worse, says GMRIT Principal C.L.V.R.S.V. Prasad. Acquiescing with the GMRIT principal, professor Surendra said that many of the top and medium-rung IT companies had cancelled their interview dates.
With the frequent call for bandhs, many of the companies had cancelled the dates and completed their shopping elsewhere, said Prof. Prasad.
Students from metro cities stand to gain in this scenario and there is very little left for the students of two and three-tier cities, said Prof. Surendra.
Krishna District Engineering College Association President Gadda Rajaling, however, pointed out that the situation is not that bleak. “Rupee devaluation is a win- win situation for the US and European markets as India becomes a cheaper outsourcing venue and more projects are pouring in. By mid 2014, things will definitely be different,” hoped Mr. Rajaling. He advised students to look for off campus interviews in other cities too.
