Our Bureau

New Delhi , Jan. 23

THE information technology (IT) and IT-enabled sectors (ITES) have emerged as the biggest white-collar employment provider in the country, generating about 44 per cent of the 7,558 job advertisements that came out last month in newspapers and Internet sites, according to Assocham `Eco Pulse' (AEP) data.

Of the total 7,558 job positions tracked by AEP during the period, 3,391 insertions were for IT and IT-enabled services, 1,784 insertions were for finance positions and 736 for marketing jobs.

The human resources stream had 534 job advertisements during the period, 385 for engineering positions, 234 for academics posts, 150 for the pharmaceutical sector and 147 for jobs in the hospitality sector.

The AEP interaction with industry leaders suggests that the IT-enabled sector is set for a huge expansion, with commensurate impact on job creation over the next few years.

After the IT and ITES, finance came in second in terms of job opportunities. Twenty-four per cent of the job placements were accounted for this sector, with Mumbai seeking maximum number of the applications from the finance candidates.

Marketing jobs accounted for 10 per cent of the positions advertised and the maximum jobs for marketing personnel was advertised from Mumbai.

All in all, 28 per cent of the employment advertisements were from Mumbai, with Delhi coming in second with 25 per cent and Bangalore 24 per cent. Tracking placements in leading 10 business schools, including the four IIMs, AEP found that the financial services companies did maximum recruitments.

"The Indian business process outsourcing sector is set to grow at a phenomenal pace from $4 billion to $15.5 billion by 2008. Inherent cost advantage, large pool of skilled manpower and availability of domain expertise will remain the key drivers for the growth," the Assocham President, Mr Mahendra K. Sanghi, said while releasing the AEP.

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