Don’t go abroad if you are not confident about your skills - B.S. Mantha, AVP, Aptech Edu.

Aptech is a leading, global IT training, software and consulting company, with a turnover of Rs.3.9 billion approx. and employs over 1550 professionals currently. Since its establishment in India, Aptech has grown rapidly and exponentially over the years. Aptech’s global education and training business over the years, has emerged as one of the world’s largest training providers.

Our special correspondent met Mr. B. S. Mantha, Associate Vice President of Aptech Computer Education at their Hyderabad office.

Q. How old is Aptech and your hold in this competitive market?

A. Aptech is 14 years old. We have 85 centres in Andhra Pradesh. We cover even rural areas. We have done maximum number of government projects including latest pilot project computerisation of schools for all 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh. The other project we can proudly talk about is World Bank aided project of Mandal Revenue employees training for 19 districts as part of HMIS project.

Q. How do you view your competitors and your strategy against them?

A. We have strengths in designing, marketing, delivering and supporting the latest curriculum as required by the industry. Our strategy is to help students build career while accruing the skills in the process and also access them in getting suitable placements. When we deliver so much, we need not worry about our competitors.

Q. Does branding effect the education scenario?

A. Branding improves education scenario. Helps build values.

Q. How do you approach the students about your courses?

A. Our primary vehicle list is our existing students. The training that we give and the assistance we give help them to get suitable placements. That encourages them to share the value they acquired at Aptech to their friends. We have more word of mouth publicity, plus we do advertise in media to the promote and make them aware about the courses.

Q. Aptech has many branches all over the world? Could you elucidate?

A. We have grown to 36 countries in a span of 2 years. The growth speaks volume of Indian brand success.

Q. Computer education comes cheap in India compared to western countries. Does this mean quality and quantity?

A. We do have good quality education in India when it comes to computers. We Indians are the wealthiest among all ethnic groups in America, even faring better than the whites and the natives. There are 3.22 millions of Indians in USA (1.5% of population). Yet 38% of doctors, 12% scientists, 36% of NASA scientists, 34% of Microsoft employees, 28% of IBM employees, 17% of INTEL scientists, and 13% of XEROX employees are Indians. These statistics prove the worth of Indians abroad.

Q. How do you visualise the future ASP market for Indian companies?

A. The future is great.

Q. B2B, B2C how effectively we are using in India?

A. Process has started. It has to catch up. Few companies have already come into the arena and the future will be good.

Q. Computer boom we see students thronging the institutes in every nook and corner, how about the job turns over?

A. The growth of the information technology industry across the world has generated a huge demand for highly skilled IT manpower, resulting in projections of a long-term global demand-supply gap. The US alone posts a requirement of over 200,000 software professionals every year. In India, there are around 280,000 professionals working on software development. The figures are growing by almost 50 percent every year. The software industry is a lucrative option for many aspirants as it promises sky-high salaries and hi-flying lifestyle among other benefits. Given the situation, every student, who is about to finish college, is under pressure to be a part of this vibrant industry.

This kind of growth is a very healthy sign as long as it is approached with the right kind of mindset. In India, the problem is with the parents. Parents, due to their desire to see their sons/daughters are successful software professionals, are suggesting shortcuts to meet the ever-growing demand. Parents are suggesting that their sons/daughters take up low-cost, short-duration computer courses to become software professionals. They are thus contributing to the chaos that is already rampant in the training industry due to excess of not-competent professionals. Again this contribution is of two types – Conscious and Ignorant contribution.

Parents beware that IT education is unlike formal education, where the students do not apply what they learn on their jobs. In IT education, whatever the student learns will be applied on the job. It is a skill-based education. Keeping this in mind, parents be(a)ware that your son/daughter is not learning a skill as long as it is not taught to them completely.

Q. Do you think computers will take over humans in future?

A. No. Humans will take over computer in future.

Q. Do you think venture capitalist funding will be strong for Indian .com companies in future?

A. Let us wait and see.

Q. Your hints and advice for Indian IT professionals aiming high?

A. Don’t land in USA or other countries if you are not confident about your skills. Acquire the skill in the best possible way before attempting.

Profile

Aptech is a leading, global IT training, software and consulting company, with a turnover of Rs.3.9 billion (approx, US$ 91 million) and employs over 1550 professionals. Since its establishment in 1986 in India, Aptech has grown rapidly and exponentially. Aptech today has 1500 training centres spread across 32 countries and has offices in USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Southeast Asia, United Arab Emirates and India and is represented in a number of other countries world-wide.

Aptech is a stable, profitable, growing and a prominent company on the stock exchange in India. Quality in every aspect is a big initiative at Aptech. Aptech was the first training organisation in Asia to attain the coveted ISO 9001 quality certification for education support services. It has also obtained ISO 9001 quality certification for its software and consulting units.

Aptech training & education business leverages on its core competency for implementing its global strategy for international expansion to establish high quality IT training centres across the world. Aptech’s global education and training business over the years, has emerged as one of the world’s largest training providers. Today it is a well-established brand in retail as well as corporate segments with its training brands Aptech Computer Education, ASSET International and Arena Multimedia.