Nasscom to introduce tests for BPO job seekers

New Delhi: The capability assessment programme for potential employees in the BPO industry, 'Nasscom assessment of competence', will be introduced pan India from November this year.

Nasscom expects over a lakh aspirants to undergo this assessment in the first year of its introduction.

In the first phase the assessments will be introduced in eight states — Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala, Bihar and Sikkim — from next month.

Despite the shortage of qualified talent only 25 per cent of technical graduates and 10-15 per cent of college students are found suitable for the ITeS and BPO industry.

It is estimated that by 2010, India could have a possible manpower shortfall of 5 lakh people by 2010. Of this, the BPO gap would be around 3.5 lakh.

The assessment tests will be conducted on line to measure the aptitude of candidates on skills that include listening, keyboard skills, verbal ability, spoken English, comprehension and writing ability, software usage competency, numerical and analytical skills, and concentration and accuracy.