SLASSCOM launches FutureCareers at EDEX

The Sri Lankan IT and BPO industry is projected to grow by 26 percent in 2011 with export earnings estimated at US$ 390 million for 2010. Sri Lanka has set a target of US$ 1 billion revenue with employment of 100,000 by 2015 in the IT/BPO industry. One of the key prerequisites for this growth to be realised is the acceleration of human resource capacity development in the industry.

The SLASSCOM FutureCareers initiative is aimed at expanding the talent pool available to the industry as part of its capacity building program. It will focus on connecting Sri Lankan youth to the exciting job opportunities in the knowledge service industry for them to become truly global citizens.

The IT/BPO industry offers exciting work, a fun atmosphere, global exposure, fast paced career progression and the opportunity to become an entrepreneur.

At the EDEX expo SLASSCOM will launch a short documentary on the careers in the IT-BPO industry with the endorsement of the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and ICTA.

The FutureCareers documentary will highlight the work opportunities and experience from young people employed within the IT/BPO industry across a wide spectrum of jobs to give potential new entrants to the industry an overview of the opportunities.

Students could meet leading IT-BPO companies at the SLASSCOM FutureCareers pavilion. Walk in interviews would be conducted by some of the companies. Dialog, HSBC, Providence, RRDonnelly, Innodata Isogen, MMBL Cyber Skills, Virtusa, IFS, Hsenid, Mphasis and Infomate will be some of the featured employers for students to discuss career opportunities with the possibility of gaining employment.

At EDEX, SLASSCOM will educate both students and parents on the wide array of options available in both the IT and BPO sectors, and highlight the skills required that will empower them to enter this industry and increase their earning potential.

"We aim to leverage the EDEX platform to primarily focus on creating awareness among youth about the benefits of selecting IT or BPO as a career path. Our aspiration is to attract large number of youth to join the fast growing IT-BPO industry in Sri Lanka", Vice President and Director SLASSCOM Madu Ratnayake said.

SLASSCOM entered into a strategic partnership with EDEX for the first time for the EDEX-2011 Expo and has invited member companies to participate in the SLASSCOM pavilion.

EDEX is the pioneering higher education and careers exhibition in Sri Lanka organised by the Royal College Union attracting a large and diverse number of local and overseas participants annually in Colombo and Kandy.

The 8th EDEX Expo will be held on January 22nd, 23rd and 24th 2011 at BMICH Colombo and on January 26th and 27th at the Kandy City Centre under its theme for 2011, "Be Wise, EDEX-Wise".