Nasscom rolls out NAC-Tech across India

* Skills assessment program for engineering students to benchmark their entry level skills in the IT industry

* One lakh candidates to take test in the next 12 months

Chennai, January 23, 2008: NASSCOM, the premier trade body and voice of the IT-BPO industry in India, today announced the rollout of NAC-tech in partnership with MeritTrac, one of India's largest skills assessment company. NAC-Tech is a unique skills assessment program for engineering students devised by the IT industry, to benchmark entry level skills in the industry. The program will evaluate candidates on their foundation skills like communication and analytical abilities as well as technical skills. In the first phase, NAC-Tech will be rolled out across Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. One lakh candidates are expected to take the test in the next one year.

The NAC-Tech test has been developed in consultation with IT industry experts and is structured at two levels; the NAC-Tech Diagnostic test and the NAC-Tech certification test. The diagnostic test is a self- administered online test to provide candidates structured feedback on their strengths and areas of improvements. The certification test has two parts. Part A is mandatory and has tests on verbal ability, analytical reasoning, attention to detail, learning ability, programming and written English skills. Part B is optional and has tests in IT Concepts, Electronics & Communication, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Textile, Bio-technology, Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering. Candidates depending on their specialization can take a test in any one area. All scores are valid for a period of one year from the date of Assessment.

The NASSCOM Advisory committee, post appropriate deliberations and selection processes, has shortlisted MeritTrac Services as its Exclusive Assessment Partner for this initiative. MeritTrac will provide the content and the delivery expertise for rolling out this program across India and worldwide.

According to Ms Sangeeta Gupta, Vice President, NASSCOM, "Talent suitability continues to be a key concern for the IT industry with only 25% of the total engineering graduate pool available in India having the requisite skills. The NAC Tech program aims to address this demand-supply gap by helping students understand the requirements of the IT industry, assess and improve their skills based on the program, and tap employment opportunities in the fast growing knowledge sector."

NASSCOM will conduct regular feedback programs and facilitate interviews for candidates with endorsing IT companies. The results and analysis of the NAC tech assessment will also be regularly shared with the universities and government to make any recommended changes in curriculum and faculty development programs.

About NASSCOM

NASSCOM® is the premier trade body of the IT software and services industry in India. Its focus is on ensuring the growth of the IT industry in India, on promoting the use of IT for economic and social benefit, and promoting global trade in IT.

NASSCOM has over 1100 members, of which about 250 are global companies from US, UK, EU and APAC countries. These include the biggest Indian and foreign IT companies, as also SMEs and even start-ups. They are in the business of software development, software services, software products, consulting services, R&D services, ITeS-BPO services, e-commerce and web services, engineering services and animation and gaming. NASSCOM's member companies constitute over 95% of the Indian IT industry's revenues in India and directly employ over 1.6 million professionals.