Mumbai-based computer hardware and networking institution – Jetking Infotrain Ltd – plans to set up a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm to provide technical support to customers primarily, in the IT and retail segments.

According to Harsh S. Bharwani, Vice-President, international business, Jetking, plans are afoot to enter into a joint venture with a multinational company. To be named – Jetking Technical Outsourcing – the firm will entail an investment of Rs 5 crore and will come up by this fical-end.

While Jetking, a BSE-listed entity, will provide the technical support, the MNC’s role would be to provide the software required to run a BPO.

“We are looking at providing third-party service to customers in the IT and retail segments. For instance, a customer facing technical problems with his mobile handset will have the option of approaching the manufacturer directly or to get it resolved through our technical centre,” Bharwani told Business Line .

Expansion

Jetking, which has 100 centres across the country at present, plans to add 50 more through franchisee route in the next two years. The company provides training to nearly 35,000 students each year. So far six lakh students have passed out of its vocational training courses.

The minimum entry level salary is close to Rs 7,000-8,000 a month, and goes up to Rs 30,000.

Plans are afoot to have another 25 overseas centres in countries such as Indonesia, Nigeria and China. Two of its existing overseas centres are located in Vietnam and one each in Nepal and Ghana.

“Countries like Vietnam and Ghana are demographically similar to India. There’s a marked skill gap too. Our curriculum is designed to bridge the skill gap here,” Bharwani said.

The company, which currently offers courses on computer hardware and networking, also plans to roll out similar ones in retail and automotive sectors.

NSDC Partnership

Jetking has tied up with the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) to provide vocational education by setting up 180 centres across the country over the next five years.

The total investment on the project, which will be largely funded by NSDC, is close to Rs 90 crore. “The first centre will be set up soon in Mumbai and will provide vocational training in IT, automobile and retail sectors,” he said.

>shobha.roy@thehindu.co.in