2 lakh IT jobs to grow in Kerala by next 5 years

With the IT infrastructural boom in Kerala, the state predicts to generate as
many as 2 lakh jobs in the next five years. Neela Gangadharan, Chief Secretary,
Kerala inaugu­rated this conference entitled 'IT in Kerala-Challenges and
Opportu­nities'. The conference was organized by the CII, in the backdrop of the
IT panel of CII Kerala State Council having taken up the mandate to facilitate
accelerated growth of the IT industry within the state.

Gangadharn consented that the job scene is rosy and will see over 2 lakh jobs
in the IT scene over the next five-year period. She believes that the state
government has already taking measures to set-up over 200 rural IT parks. This
will be termed Techno Lodges and will probably take two to three years for
completion.

A panel discussion on the topic brought experts in the IT scene from Kerala
and those from outside. They discussed the future IT scene in Kerala and
recognized the need to brand Kerala as an IT destination.

At the conference, the need to improve the education system, impar­ting soft
skills and exposure to students was stressed by proponents such as SD Shibulal,
COO, Infosys Technologies. He hoped that Kerala will become an IT destination
soon.

Important topics of discussion and debate also included the requirement of
social infrastructural development. It was noted that the society should accept
the IT industry and its challenges. The organization will facilitate an
interface between the industry and the government.