The Hindu Business Line : Nasscom online test rollout from November

Nasscom is planning a nationwide rollout of the NAC (Nasscom Assessment of Competence), a national assessment and certification programme modelled on the lines of GRE, from November this year.

Nasscom and Hewitt Associates, in collaboration with BPO firms, have designed NAC, an online test for assessing skills in six different categories such as spoken and written English, analytical ability, keyboard skills and logical reasoning.

The aim is to create a continuous pipeline of talent by "transforming" workforce into an "employable" workforce, said Mr Kiran Karnik, President, Nasscom.

Announcing the completion of a pilot project, wherein 6,000 candidates took the test in select states, Mr Karnik said the proposed nationwide rollout would see participation from BPO firms and state governments.

The BPO firms that would hire the NAC-certified candidates are expected to bear the cost of their online test, he said.

"Our aim is to tap talent from all parts of the country and initially, NAC was conducted in eight cities. It will now be extended to 30 cities," Mr Karnik said. The ITES-BPO industry, which clocked revenues of $6.3 billion in 2005-06, is expected to face a potential shortage of about 3.5 lakh candidates by 2010, according to Nasscom-McKinsey.

"The NAC will provide insights into the real training and development needs of talent and hence help companies, governments and universities develop customised talent-development initiatives and programmes," he added.

More Stories on : Human Resources | Industry Associations | Outsourcing

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page