Wipro launches soft-skills programme for undergrads

NEW DELHI: Wipro has announced the launch of a nation-wide initiative to impart communication and soft-skills training to undergraduate students, predominantly from non-engineering colleges in India. Named Wipro Integrated Skill Enhancement Program (WISEPro), this initiative aims to improve the employability of the participants in the Information Technology, Business Process Management (BPM) and other service sectors. The pilot batch of the WISEPro initiative has been picked from the student community at Kolkata-based Techno India Group. Wipro plans to extend this programme nationally to over 5,000 students by the end of FY14 and make in-roads into smaller centres in India, besides large cities. Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded a certificate, post an assessment by Wipro. The certification will make them eligible for a placement at Wipro, if they are able to successfully clear one round of interviews. Usually, the company follows 3 to 4 levels of screening while recruiting fresh graduates. The 60-hour course consists of technology backed modules in a self-paced format, which give students the flexibility to work through the modules over a period of 3 months, alongside their core graduation course. This self-learning consists of a Business Communication Skills module by TaraSpan Solutions, along with a Corporate Readiness module that is proprietary to Wipro. In addition to the e-learning modules, the programme has periodic classroom connect components, wherein students can interact with trainers. The IT-ITES Sector Skills Council (SSC), Nasscom has provided valuable guidance in designing the curriculum and training methodology of the programme, says Wipro. According to Dr Sandhya Chintala, executive director, Sector Skills Council, Nasscom, "We are glad that an organization of Wipro's stature has taken the lead in moving towards the adoption of published National Occupational Standards (NOS) for job roles/qualification packs and we, at SSC Nasscom, are glad to support and guide them in this endeavour." Subhasish Biswas, head - business excellence, Wipro BPO, said, "This initiative is an employability enhancement programme that will endeavour to train students for the services sector where high levels of communication and presentation skills are required, in addition to basic domain knowledge. It aims to improve the soft-skill based competencies, foster professional skills and thereby, enhance the employability of youth for various service sector domains." Prof (Dr) Pritimoy Bhattacharya, group director, Techno India Group, said, "The Techno India Group is proud to provide a platform for Wipro to launch this programme. This unique initiative is the need of the hour and will go a long way in making our youth employable. We are very confident that our students will leverage this opportunity well and aspire to be part of this journey of self-development." Times Infotech