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IBM to double training centres

IBM proposes to double the number of education centres across the country before the close of 1999.

There are now about 30 centres, but before the close of this calendar year, the number of such education centres would be doubled,

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N N Khurana, general manager, education and training, IBM Global Services India, has been quoted as saying.

These would include both the IBM ACE (authorised centre for computer education) and IBM ATP (authorised training partners) centres.

While ACE centres cater for students keen on software as a profession, ATP centres cater for the needs of professionals in the software industry specialising in a particular area or module.

Khurana said IBM is also keen on starting a chain of centres that could offer education in the area of e-business. This area offers tremendous potential, he said.

IBM would focus on e-commerce and related technologies and deliver the entire gamut in a capsule.

In reply to a question, Khurana said the Internet technologies are available in bits and pieces now, but the kind of solution IBM would offer would be unique.

Besides expanding its operations within the country, IBM proposes to open ACE, ATP and e-business centres in countries such as South Africa, Bangladesh and the

Philippines, Khurana said.

The first centres abroad are set to commence operations before June.

Stating that IBM is moving up the "value chain" in terms of value-based education through "distributed learning", Khurana said the curriculum is being developed taking into account industry needs.

He said "Our focus is on the professionals in the industry and we produce highly employable persons.'' Khurana said over 60 per cent of ACE students are employed. A feedback from over 50 organisations that employed ACE students revealed that they met industry standards.

"That's our strength. We do not have to go in for large-scale publicity/advertisement,'' he said.

IBM education centres started operations in India only in 1992, initially, to impart training to its own employees. In the second phase, Khurana said, IBM offered training to customers. Only later on, it evolved the ACE initiative to meet industry needs.

Although reports indicated that at least half million people are being hired by the IT industry annually, the demand for IT professionals is expected to grow significantly in view of the software export targets fixed by the Indian government, Khurana said.

He said the present situation in regard to training of software professionals leaves much to be desired.

Khurana said that notwithstanding the training that is being imparted by different organisations, the quality gave room for concern. He said constant upgradation of the curriculum is necessary to suit the needs of the industry.

- Compiled from the Indian media

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