Upset over the poor job scenario in the IT and IT-enabled services industry? Don’t worry. The banking industry will throw open 7.5 lakh jobs in the next five years. Those with technology skills stand a fair chance of getting one in the banking sector.

With the banking sector getting more and more tech savvy, the core tasks, such as book-keeping and accounting, have been replaced by IT applications. “They are looking for people with skills in data mining, data architecture, analytics and business intelligence. There are about 10-11 IT skills that the industry is looking for. If you could acquire one such skill, there is a fair chance of getting a job,” Mr B. Sambamurthy, Director, IDRBT (Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology), said.

Addressing a counselling event organised by TalentSprint and the ‘Hindu Education Plus’, he said it was a kind of replay of the 1970s where the banks recruited people in large numbers.

“For every two officers, there is only one clerk in the banking industry now. The global banking industry is looking at the Indian talent pool to fill up top posts,” he said.

Mr R. Bhaskaran, Chief Executive Officer, Indian Institute of Banking and Finance, advised the job aspirants to have an add-on qualification.

Mr M. S. Rama Rao, Managing Director, AP State Cooperative Bank, said there was a huge interest among technology graduates for jobs in the banking and financial services industry. “There was a lull in recruitment in the banking industry for some time. Now, there is a huge opportunity. The financial inclusion programme that is being launched across the country would require expansion of the banking system,” he said.

Mr V. Laxmikanth, Managing Director of Broadridge India, said the banking industry contributed up to 40 per cent of the IT industry’s revenues. A conservative estimate has pegged the size of the BPO, KPO (business and knowledge process outsourcing) opportunity in capital markets alone at $6 billion.

>kurmanath@thehindu.co.in

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