'We have to take our youth beyond literacy': NASSCOM Chief

Bangalore, Jan 14 (UNI) NASSCOM Chairman Som Mittal today said that there was an urgent need to take the Indian youth beyond literacy as lack of necessary skill sets had resulted in severe shortage of skilled work force.

Speaking at a function organised by a private college here he said the IT industry may have changed the aspirations but general lack of work related training while learning had rendered majority of those passing out of colleges not fit for work.

"There is shortage in all segments today. We don't have enough experts from masons to civil engineers and technicians to IT professionals. Domain and technical expertise has to be developed together. Soft skills are as important as technical skills and our youth should realise this," he stressed.

Mr Mittal regretted that a majority of students passing out even from Engineering Colleges were not fit enough to take up work assignments and the companies, especially in the IT sector, had to spend huge sums and train them for 16 to 18 weeks.

"Students should get work ready before they leave the College.

There are many avenues to learn what you have to do when you seek a job and you better do it in the colleges itself," he added.

Saying that the IT industry had much more to offer than what was perceived at present, he said the Engineering students should get ready to work anywhere in the world. "Opportunity in IT will be real and huge and we will have to learn to deal with people of different countries and culture who doesn't even know English," he added.

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