IT sector to tap talent from armed forces

By agencies   |   Wednesday, 28 December 2005, 20:30 IST
Printer Print Email Email
HYDERABAD: In its first such initiative, the apex body of the information technology industry Nasscom has brought together representatives from the Defense and IT & ITES sectors, to tap the potential in the armed forces. According to an estimate, about 70,000 to 80,000 people retire from the defense sector every year. These people with different skill sets have immense potential to partner with IT services and ITES sector in both billable and non-billable areas, the association said in a statement. Traditionally, defense retired staff have tapped into non-IT areas in partnership with industry agencies and bodies such as the Confederation of Indian Industry and it was felt that this was the right time to partner Nasscom, and turn to IT given the potential of the sector and the possible demand-supply mismatch that is likely to crop up in the next five-six years. The Vice-President of Nasscom, Sunil Mehta said that the Nasscom-McKinsey study has projected that the Indian IT exports would cross the $60-billion mark by 2010, and there is the possibility of some demand-supply mismatch in certain technology areas. Apart from mainstream IT, defense personnel have scope to work in areas of security, management and even turn entrepreneurs providing travel services such as fleet operators. Addressing a meeting hosted by Nasscom on opportunities for defense personnel in IT services and BPO industry, Major General K S Sandhu, Director General Resettlement, Army Headquarters, said that it was a pity that about 80,000 defense personnel retire from armed forces. These people are well trained and have the capability to serve various industry segments both directly and indirectly through related services. Hiring two senior ex-servicemen, the Chief Executive Officer of Genpact, A S K Raja said, “Genpact has grown to a 19,000-employee company and had some people from defense who have not only served but have molded their career path and grown rapidly in the organization to the levels of vice-president.”