Recruiting hands, training, managing and retaining them are a never-ending process for HR managers. Their job does not end with hiring, but is a continuous process whereby a worker is hired, trained and retained in an organisation. The recruitment task too is becoming more complex each day with a decreasing talent pool. But they can relax now, thanks to latest technological advancements in the software solutions industry. Even if technology cannot resolve their problems completely, it can at least, offer a solution to make their tasks simpler.

Edutech, a global organisation, has just such technology-enabled knowledge solutions for training and recruitment processes. These solutions help organisations maximise productivity and enhance performance of employees. "We offer technology based learning solutions for the BPO/ITES sector. We have a number of different technologies and contents that help companies manage recruitment and retention of talent," says Shameema Parveen, co-founder and knowledge officer, Edutech.

Edutech has a vast portfolio of integrated learning solutions. For significant improvement in the workforce performance and its management, it becomes necessary to deploy technology that aids in cutting down costs and reducing hiring time. For this, Edutech provides an online assessment solution which can be used to hire employees from different locations in a short span. Even the data collected from the assessment can be analysed immediately and reports generated simultaneously, giving freedom to the employer as well as the candidate to accept or decline. "This makes the whole process of recruitment less time consuming. It also provides access to talent pool across locations. The candidates too, can accept or decline the job offer or explore further opportunities in other organisations."

Talking about the various challenges faced by the industry for which Edutech offers solutions, Parveen said, "The quality of manpower has to be sustained as there is constant pressure to deliver. By training the available manpower with high quality training programmes, this can be achieved. Moreover, with globalisation it has become imperative to recruit, induct and continuously train existing employees to upgrade relevant skills for growth within the organisation," adds Parveen. "We provide the technology required for this," she said.

Clubbed with its learning modules, are Edutech's virtual classroom modules wherein trainers or subject experts can interact with employees or clients for project or process training. "We ensure that these solutions are implemented in such a way that the client is able to extract maximum mileage out of it and generate returns."

Explaining the technology behind these solutions, Parveen said the solutions are generally developed in-house. "The technology driving the recruitment solutions is 'question mark perception' and for talent management, we use 'plateau'. Edutech sometimes uses the softwares available in the market (branded) but also develops customised solutions for clients' specific demands. Parveen adds, "One of the leading companies in the IT/ITES sector is using our virtual classroom solution for online collaboration."

Learning is not through course material alone but online communication as well. This includes developing IT strategies and applying reference architectures to support an organisation’s learning needs as well as provide required learning applications and tools such as learning management systems and content authoring tools. It also includes providing infrastructure and facilitating integration with other business processes to support the learning programmes as well as create collaboration and virtual training centres.

The industry is showing a gradual shift towards the learning and development arena. "Organisations are now focusing on how to use technology to adapt and increase the capability of the existing employees and growth of the organisation," says Parveen.

Edutech has around 20 clients in the ITES/BPO sector in India. "Our solutions are used by the companies and their clients as well. We have approximately 300 clients across various verticals." Discussing future growth plans of Edutech, Praveen said, with globalisation and increasing importance of technology in every field, the company is bound to expand to more markets across the world. She also says that organisations are moving towards private sector partnerships, rather than remaining stand-alone models of learning. “Organisations are hiring companies like Edutech, with expertise in training and learning modules and capable of increasing business and client satisfaction�, she added. With many companies already profiting from these solutions, Parveen sees plentiful growth opportunities. She is also expecting the government to increase the budget allocation for the IT/ITES sector .

Edutech has its head-office in Chennai and has centres in Delhi and Mumbai. However, all its content development process takes place in Bangalore.