The place is simply buzzing with activity. The laughter of young people as they talk and joke around in groups, the constant hustle-bustle as they make their way into swanky, hi-tech classrooms and the relaxed air that prevails in the café area where chai and chit blend comfortably-are the stuff NIIT’s education center in South Extension, is made of.

The institution, which resembles a mini-college, remains animated through the day with a never ending flow of student traffic. Signs of the positivism that characterizes the IT market today are all visible at this learning facility, just like any of its 3000 plus education centres in 31 countries. From the expanding enrollment roster, to the happy photographs of “star” students who now carry home a stipend, to the lengthening lists of folks who have successfully completed their career-oriented IT programs-the “IT is back” images clearly abound and dominate the environment.

“But did IT ever really go away?” questions the charming Ratna, a student of Spanish and IT, who believes computer learning could be her one way ticket to the job she desires, possibly even overseas. “IT is there and has always been there. This is no comeback. Yes, there was a situation of market overload, but that’s in the past. IT is here to stay,” adds the ethnically attired youngster with impressive silver ear-rings that swing engagingly.

Ratna’s mature, analytical comments on the IT industry find an echo in the unbridled enthusiasm for computer learning shown by fellow student, Saurabh Khaitan. A B.Com (Hons) student of Bhagat Singh College, New Delhi, Saurabh has joined up for a four-month, short term IT awareness course at NIIT. “Computers are everywhere today and IT knowledge continues to be a necessity. IT never ever disappeared and is only going to get more important. It’s like knowing the English language. All businesses employ computers and one has to be comfortable using them,” he says.

Saurabh’s peer-21 year-old, philosophy undergrad Deepti Wadhwa concurs with his view that all jobs available today require basic, entry-level IT knowledge. A true blue representative of the casual “jean and T-shirt” generation, Deepti believes a computer training certificate will add weight to her resume, when the time comes for her to seek employment.

For Samanta Sachdeva, a first semester student of GNIIT, (the three year career program which includes one year of Professional Practice at an organization), IT learning means serious business. The petite, Gargi college student decided to take up GNIIT alongside her regular B.A. pass course program, because graduation simply wasn’t enough. Her goal: to bag two degrees when she finishes college. “I wanted to do more than just a graduation. It is very difficult to get a job after graduation. With the PP, however, I will get an exposure to the outside world and learn about using IT on the job. Even if I decide to pursue an MBA program, computer knowledge, gained through GNIIT will help me greatly,” she says.

Building a future with computers
Escaping from a “no-win” situation in remote Muzzaffarpur town, Bihar, where opportunities in education and jobs appeared dim, Jayant 24, enrolled himself for a DNIIT program at NIIT’s center in Kalkaji, Delhi. “I was in my final year of college when I came to Delhi in 2001 to make a future for myself. At the time I joined the NIIT program, the IT industry was witnessing a slowdown. The dot com crash was happening. Even so, I remained convinced that things would change.”

Jayant’s deep interest in computers and his excellent performance at NIIT, further rooted him to the IT learning fold, encouraging him to hang in there even when the world outside appeared disillusioned with the IT phenomenon. “Not only did I stick to my original plans, I even upgraded to the three-year GNIIT program. The one-year of Professional Practice was a major attraction, as I felt it would help me get a good job once the program was over. I am hopeful of getting absorbed by the company where I undertake my PP. Two of my friends, who completed their course earlier, found a placement post PP,” states Jayant whose one-year stint with a live organization begins six months down the line.

Jayant is certain the IT boom is going to happen again. “I want to be ready for this phase and create a career for myself in the area of software development,” he adds. The young man from Bihar is extremely upbeat about computer courses and the importance of IT training, especially for students who are unable to gain admission in professional programs. “Professional courses such as engineering or medicine are tough to get into. Programs such as GNIIT give an opportunity to the youth to display their talents and convert their failures into a successes,” Jayant states philosophically.

Raghavendra Gupta agrees. Playing with his Nike cap with the famous “Just do it” signature and repositioning it constantly, Raghavendra extols the virtues of IT learning and the role it can play in career building. This quiet, yet confident 21-year old from Allahabad, has put all his eggs in the IT basket and is wishing for a healthy return on investment some day.

A B.Sc Electronics graduate from Kurukshetra University, Raghavendra opted for the course when he could not get admission into mechanical engineering-the discipline he wanted to pursue. The electronics program however, brought the youngster closer to IT, making him aware of its relevance for bagging plum jobs.

Today, Raghavendra ranks among the countless students who staunchly believe in IT’s strengths as a employment destination and he’s pulling out all the stops to ensure he becomes a skilled, computer-industry relevant professional.

“The idea was to do something extra, which would help me gain complete proficiency in the computer domain. The demand for IT people is increasing day by day and GNIIT gives me a chance for placement in this field,” says Raghavendra.

Professionals too?
Clearly, computer knowledge is not only for the country’s student community alone. Thousands of individuals are also enrolling for programs to reskill, advance their knowledge in IT and gain a professional edge at work.

While the young are getting attracted to IT training thanks to the gradually improving employment environment, older people, are once again focusing on IT skills as a means of scaling their capabilities and adding weight to their existing resumes.

Vishal Mehra, 32, a professional in the travel trade recently decided to enroll himself in NIIT, Noida for a 36-week course in Visual Basic-6. Interested in developing customized billing software for his travel business and acquainting himself with emerging IT technologies, Vishal decided to become a student once again. Considering, he did not have a background in IT, Vishal has found the NIIT program easy-to-comprehend. “I am finding it an easy-paced course. The faculty is supportive and I haven’t faced a single problem,” he informs.

Enrolling with the leader
But why NIIT in the face of other options? For Ratna, the highly reputed NIIT seemed like the only place to go to. “My friend who is currently in the US, paid over Rs. 16 lakhs for undergoing a computer training program in that country. NIIT made available the very same program to me here in India at a very reasonable cost. It made it all very worthwhile,” she comments.

Ryan Neil Michael, who underwent a six-week Swift program at NIIT, Gurgaon, was drawn by the impeccable credentials of the institute. “NIIT seemed the only reputed choice-the place I felt, would help me gain confidence in myself. I realized that even for taking on a summer job today, one needed computer knowledge. I had heard that top class training in day-to-day IT tools and technologies was being made available at the Center,” says 18-year old Ryan, who joined the program after taking his 12th Standard Board examination from Winberg Allen, a well known boarding school in Mussorie.

While Deepti says the NIIT program came “highly recommended,” Saurabh Khaitan enrolled himself with the organization based on positive feedback from friends and family. “Besides, I was told that NIIT offered the most advanced and updated courses, in tune with the changing technology requirements.”

For the others, knowledgeable, friendly and cooperative faculty, one-on-one interactions between the teachers and students and the unique PP program proved to be major draws.

“NIIT has a great reputation. Besides, my friends, who were already undergoing training here encouraged me to join up. NIIT’s course material is the best,” states Raghavendra.

According to Jayant, NIIT gave him the chance to involve myself in the support faculty function at the center. “The responsibility of a Project Intern (PI) for machine room support was placed on me based on my impressive performance in the first semester and this has helped me gain valuable experience,” informs Jayant.

By all accounts, the IT training landscape is altering once again. After undergoing a slow phase, in tune with the sluggish economic climate, IT education is making a comeback. As IT jobs gain popularity once again, students too are making their way to reputed and branded IT education institutes.

As cine idol, beloved of millions, and more recently, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, would say, “They’re back!”

- Deep Kamal