New-age sectors now turning gurukuls

HYDERABAD: If you cannot find the right talent, then groom it yourself. That seems to be the mantra of the new economy businesses today that are facing a severe shortage of skilled human resource. Sectors like infrastructure, real estate, microfinance, animation and organized retail have witnessed phenomenal growth in the recent past, but the number of people trained to work in these sectors has not grown much, resulting in huge talent crunch.

Hence, many corporates are setting up their own training institutes to offer training with the assurance of a job placement or are entering into tie-ups with educational institutions and universities to offer courses. Unlike the executive programmes offered by large corporates in association with prestigious management institutes, many of these new economy courses are for the entry level or mid-level employees.

The huge gap between skills taught in colleges and those required in the job market is also the main reason, apart from shortage of skilled people, according to HR experts. Microfinance institution Basix has set up a livelihood school to provide training on livelihood promotion. The school will train employees to work in microfinance institutions, NGOs and government organizations providing livelihood programmes.

Similarly, Australia-based real estate franchising company LJ Hooker, which recently begun Indian operations, is planning to offer training in real estate franchising in association with a university. Retail giant Pantaloon Retail India has already entered a tie-up with Welingkar Institute of management to offer a two-year PG diploma in retail management with assured placement guarantee.

With the shortage of civil engineers, infrastructure company Indu Projects is recruiting non-engineering graduates and is offering them training for employment. “You don’t need a five-year civil engineering course to work in an infrastructure company,” says MD and CEO of Indu Projects Mr Syam Prasad Reddy.