Spectramind for distance learning to curb attrition

In a bid to control high attrition, Wipro Spectramind will expand its parallel distant learning programme.

"The company is in talks with several educational institutions to offer bachelor courses like bachelors in business administration (BBA) and other technical degrees," S Varadarajan, vice-president (talent engagement and development), said.

Wipro Spectramind already offers distant learning MBA programmes and other post-graduate degrees and has a tie-up with Symbiosis and BITS, Pilani.

Nearly 30 per cent of the current workforce of 10,000 have taken up the distant learning programme.

"The post graduate programmes have been very successful and we are seeing a need to introduce distant learning under-graduate programmes, too. Our work force not only has graduates but also a lot of undergraduates who wish to complete their degree course so we are trying to incorporate that," Varadarajan said.

Along with Symbosis and BITS Pilani, Wipro Spectramind is also in talks with Delhi-based institutions for BA and Bsc distant learning programmes.

"We will follow the similar pattern of taking a caution deposit of Rs 25,000 to 40,000 from the student. And return it after the employee completes the course," he said. Under the programme, professors of several colleges will come and deliver lectures apart from the regular study materials for theory. Classes and exams are held periodically at the centre.

Wipro Spectramind is also planning to ramp up its 'Spectramind Talent Engagement Programme' (STEP) with a greater emphasis on internal job postings.

"Apart from higher studies, a reason for the high attrition rate is that employees are looking for greater job opportunities to move up the value chain. So, we are looking at providing greater mobility within the company and lateral placements to provide more exposure to employees. Nearly 70 per cent of the supervisors have come from internal job placements," he said.

Other BPO companies are following a similar approach to stop staff from leaving. ICICI OneSource, the Bangalore-based BPO, which employs around 4,300 people, gives scholarships of up to Rs 50,000 to employees who want to enroll in distance-learning programmes.

Cognizant, too, has tied up with BITS Pilani to help employees pursue MS programmes in software engineering and in e-business.

It has also tied up with the British Open University (for a 2-year MBA programme) and the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, for a customised 2-week residential programme on management.