The Hindu Business Line : `Lack of skilled manpower slowing KPO sector growth'

THE Nasscom (National Association of Software and Service Companies) President, Mr Kiran Karnik, has expressed concern over the lack of skilled workforce in the Indian knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) industry.

To clients, the industry provides services on research such as intellectual property, equity, financial, analytics, business and market in telecom, pharmaceutical, automotive and financial service sectors.

Addressing a seminar here on `Knowledge Process Outsourcing - Generation Next' through videoconferencing from New Delhi, Mr Karnik said people are neglecting certain disciplines, including econometrics and operational research. "Many of the brighter students are moving away from such disciplines, and we need to do bring them back. It should be a collective effort by the industry and academia, and Nasscom could take the lead," he said.

Lack of skilled manpower is inhibiting the growth of the KPO industry, he said.

Responding to a query from the audience on lack of funding alternatives for home-grown KPO entrepreneurs, Mr Karnik said, initial stage funding is a problem for start-up companies. Nasscom is aware of this, and is working out various initiatives.

Nasscom is discussing with the Government for providing seed capital and angel funding to start-up companies, said Mr Karnik. Many of the venture capitalists are setting up funds for India, and Nasscom will request them to use a portion of the fund for start-up companies.

Mr Karnik said marketing the Indian KPO industry abroad was on Nasscom's agenda. There are plans to organise road shows in the US and Europe to highlight the industry's capabilities in high-end specialised work.

According to Mr Chandu Nair, Director, Scope e-Knowledge Center Pvt Ltd, it is estimated that the country's KPO industry would create about 3,00,000 direct jobs by 2010.

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