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And, now, 'yellow pages' on returning IT whiz-kids

Priya Ganapati in Bombay

As pink-slipped Indian IT workers slowly begin their exodus back home, hope awaits them in the form of a database that promises to supply a ready and willing bank of skilled infotech professionals to small- and medium-sized IT companies.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India -- Assocham -- and the National Association of Small and Medium IT companies -- Nasmeit -- have built a directory of returning IT professionals.

Built up by stripping the resumes of these fallen heroes, the databank holds information on the skill set, the numbers of years of experience, the projects handled and all other sundry details that prospective employers would like to know.

The tears, the despondency and the dejection of the those streaming into Nasmeit's office in New Delhi apparently moved Nasmeit's president and chairman of the convergence committee of Assocham, P K Sandell, to start working on a database.

"Many of those who have come back from the US came to our office asking if we could direct them to some vacancies. They were really desperate to get something immediately. While, permanent vacancies in these times are tough to come by, there are quite a few project-wise vacancies available. So, we thought that the best way is to build a databank and see how everyone's needs could be matched," Sandell says.

Started over a month ago, the directory of returning IT professionals now has 85 entries and Sandell says more are being added every day. "The number might not seem too large, but it is excellent from the placement point of view. And it has been built completely by word of mouth. As more and more people return, they come and offer their resumes to us," he explains.

Small and medium-sized IT companies, the grouping of which is Nasmeit, are the ones most expected to benefit from the bank. These are the companies to which projects are outsourced and usually have a large proportion of their business coming in from overseas clients. These small and mid-sized companies rule in the services sector and take up execution of projects that are farmed out by the bigger companies.

To execute these short-term projects they require skilled professionals, the demand for whom varies from a project-to-project basis.

Companies need professionals for short periods. Which fits in neatly with the plans of many of those who have come back, says Sandell.

"Most of those who have come back are traumatised. They are still unclear on if they want to stay here now or if they want to go back after the situation improves. Till they make up their mind these professionals can work with these companies," he says.

Quoting recent reports, Nasmeit says that there are nearly 24,000 Indian software programmers on the bench in the US and about 8,500 have returned to India over the last 3 months.

But those who have come back are finding it difficult to interface with existing domestic employment opportunities because of their uncertain future, which is why the databank could act as a very effective go-between, says Sandell.

However, as of now, the bank seems to have not proven to be very effective. Sandell grudgingly concedes that none of those in the database seem to have had any success.

"We have not advertised much. And it has yet to be circulated widely. But I think that the response has been good and many members have shown interest in the database," he justifies.

But he promises to keep the database updated. "We intend to send out letters to the members of the database asking about their status after two months. If they have already got something, I am sure they will let us know and we can strike their names out," Sandell says.

Nasmeit has, however, not approached any other IT industry grouping like Nasscom or MAIT to work out a collaborative strategy.

"We are open to the idea of working with them, but let us see how things turn out over the next few weeks," Sandell says.

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