India faces offshore IT skills crisis by 2010

Silicon.com
A huge IT skills shortage and poor physical infrastructure could threaten India's position as the leading offshore outsourcing location by 2010, according to a new report. The report by consultant McKinsey and Indian IT body Nasscom warns that labour market pressures could leave India facing a shortfall of 500,000 IT staff equipped with the skills to work in the offshore outsourcing industry. Jayant Sinha, partner at McKinsey, said that India faces a challenge in maintaining its dominant offshore IT position. He said in the report: "The skills and quality of the workforce need to be improved, since only 25 per cent of technical graduates and 10 to 15 per cent of general college graduates are suitable for employment in the offshore IT and BPO industries respectively." Sinha said the country's urban infrastructure also needs "immediate attention" with better road and air links between India's high-tech hotspots. more...