The Hindu Business Line : Kerala unveils Net-based IT training programme

IN an attempt to improve the `employability' of Kerala's graduates, the State's Department of Higher Education has launched an Internet-based assessment and training programme.

Called the Kerala Employability Enhancement Resources Programme (KEREER), the initiative has been structured around two Web sites - www.kereer.com and www.keralaecampus.com.

While Kereer.com will provide Net-based competency assessment tests, Keralaecampus.com will provide online learning solutions.

Speaking at a meeting organised to formally launch the two Web sites, Dr B. Ekbal, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kerala, said that the new initiative would go a long way towards improving the employability of Kerala's young people.

Mr K. Mohandas, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Government of Kerala, said the KEREER initiative would have a major impact on the State's employment scenario for years to come.

The project will be managed by the Programme Management Council for Education for Employability Enhancement and will be co-ordinated by the Centre for Continuing Education-Kerala.

While the Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron) will provide the IT support for the project, the competency assessment component will be provided by the Bangalore-based MeritTrac Services Pvt Ltd.

Another Bangalore-based company, 24x7 Learning, will provide the online learning solutions.

Making a presentation on the Kereer.com Web site, Mr Madan Padaki, Director, MeritTrac, said that in time, the site would contain a range of employability resources.

The tests initially available on the Web site will be targeted at meeting the requirements of the IT and ITES sectors and will cover areas such as verbal ability, numerical skills, logical reasoning, and keyboard skills.

Those who take the tests will receive detailed assessment reports and certificates and can use these documents while applying for jobs at IT and ITES companies, he added.

The tests will be held in cities across Kerala and will be completely online, said Mr Padaki.

The tests for the IT industry will be priced at Rs 300, and those for the ITES sector will cost Rs 225. The KEREER project authorities will soon announce a detailed testing schedule.

In his presentation on the online learning component of the KEREER initiative, Mr Karthik K.S., Managing Director, 24x7 Learning, said that the e-learning programmes that will be offered on the Keralaecampus.com Web site would cover a range of areas including technical topics, `soft' skills and business subjects. The online courses will be priced at Rs 950 and Rs 1,900.