‘Industry starved of skilled manpower’

IPE, in association with The Hindu, organises seminar on ‘Emerge MBA’. Usually, in the colleges emphasis is laid on developing knowledge, skill and attitude in students. But industry looks for attitude first followed by skill and knowledge in a student during interviews, he said.

Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE) professor J. Kiranmai interacting with a student at the seminar on in Vijayawada on Tuesday. IPE Dean M.L.Saikumar is seen. Photo: V. Raju

What is the difference between job and career? Well, working for salary can be defined as job and working for life with plenty of opportunities for progress was career, said Aravind, a second year degree student of P.B. Siddhartha Arts and Science College.

He was answering a question asked by Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE) Dean M.L. Saikumar at The Hindu ’s seminar on ‘Emerge MBA’ organised at P.B. Siddhartha Arts and Science College here on Tuesday. The seminar was conducted in association with the IPE.

Addressing the students, Mr. Saikumar said industry was starved of skilled manpower and there were plenty of opportunities for students, especially post bifurcation as many industries were likely to come up in the near future.

But to be successful, students need to develop analytical skills, improve communication skills and work on their soft skills. Industry wants students, who are confident and can communicate effectively, and for this, one needs to be innovative and constantly update their knowledge, he advised.

Usually, in the colleges emphasis is laid on developing knowledge, skill and attitude in students. But industry looks for attitude first followed by skill and knowledge in a student during interviews, he said.

Among all the fields, business administration offers many opportunities for students. It is not just about jobs but one can set up industry and provide employment to others. The government is offering many tax benefits and many industries would be established in the State, he said.

Before picking a college, he instructed the students to check the course curriculum, facultyand infrastructure.

Unlike in the past, students have the option of selecting from many programmes like PG diploma in Management-Retail and Marketing, diploma in Management – banking, insurance and financial services, diploma in international business and Human resource management etc., said IPE professor J. Kiranmai.

College Principal M.V.N. Padma Rao said such programmes give lot of exposure to students in planning their career. College Director V. Babu Rao also spoke on the occasion.