2 lakh IT job openings in next 5 years in Kerala

In line with the boom in IT infrastructure in Kerala, the state will generate as many as 2 lakh jobs in the next five years.

Neela Gangadharan, Chief Secretary, Kerala, who spoke after inaugurating CII-organized conference, ‘IT in Kerala – Challenges and Opportunities’, said the job scene is rosy and will see over 2 lakh jobs in the IT scene over the next five-year period. She added that the state government has kicked off measures to set up over 200 rural IT Parks, termed Techno Lodges, in the next 2-3 years.

A panel discussion on the topic saw experts in the IT scene in Kerala and outside discuss the future IT scene in Kerala and called for the need to brand Kerala as an IT destination. The discussions centred around the need for drastic change in investor perception, need for a body to lobby for developing IT in Kerala, to lead the growth of IT, on the lines of Nasscom.

The organization will facilitate an interface between the industry and the government. The conference also stressed on the need to improve the education system, imparting soft skills and exposure to students. Experts also discussed the need for development of social infrastructure, pointing out that the society should accept the IT industry and its challenges.

Taking part in the panel discussion, SD Shibulal, COO, Infosys Technologies Ltd, stressed the need for quality education and finishing skills. He called for making Kerala more attractive as an IT destination. Suggesting that Kerala needs better branding, he said much is to be done to attract people back to Kerala and create more employment.

G Vijayaraghavan, president, Venture Management Associates, said there exists a need to change investor perception. Awareness needs to be initiated to focus on the fact that IT creates jobs for everyone. Adding, R Anand, Partner, E&Y India, said the state needs to have durable policies and should improve infrastructure support.

Listing out the measures taken by the state government for development of IT and ITeS in the state, Ajay Kumar, Secretary – IT, Kerala, said the state has been witnessing a period of growth, with software exports growing at 2.5 -3 times the national average.

Pointing out that the government has kicked off initiatives to encourage higher studies in IT, he said Kerala should assure cost advantage, significant attraction.

“The Kerala Government will to invest Rs 2000–3000 crore in e-governance initiatives. The government has accorded added thrust for investment during the global recession,” he said. The ICT Academy, an initiative under the state government is aimed to improve college students overall employability, he said.

The conference was organized by the CII, in the backdrop of the IT Panel of CII Kerala State Council having taken up the mandate to facilitate accelerated growth of the IT industry within the State. The audience comprised CEOs of leading companies in Technopark, stakeholders from industry, government and academia.

source:ciol