Information Technology & the Changing Nature of Work: Skills Gap Hurts Technology Boom in India Robert Shedd URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/world/asia/17india.html?ex=1161748800&en=6ad74519a21d3217&ei=5070&emc=eta1

Skills Gap Hurts Technology Boom in India “ As its technology companies soar to the outsourcing skies, India is bumping up against an improbable challenge . In a country once regarded as a bottomless well of low-cost, ready-to-work, English-speaking engineers, a shortage looms .” “ India still produces plenty of engineers, nearly 400,000 a year at last count. But their competence has become the issue .” “ A study commissioned by a trade group, the National Association of Software and Service Companies, or Nasscom, found only one in four engineering graduates to be employable . The rest were deficient in the required technical skills, fluency in English or ability to work in a team or deliver basic oral presentations.”

“ As its technology companies soar to the outsourcing skies, India is bumping up against an improbable challenge . In a country once regarded as a bottomless well of low-cost, ready-to-work, English-speaking engineers, a shortage looms .”

“ India still produces plenty of engineers, nearly 400,000 a year at last count. But their competence has become the issue .”

“ A study commissioned by a trade group, the National Association of Software and Service Companies, or Nasscom, found only one in four engineering graduates to be employable . The rest were deficient in the required technical skills, fluency in English or ability to work in a team or deliver basic oral presentations.”

The World Is Flat “’ [T]he playing field is being leveled .’” “ Indians and Chinese were going to compete for work like never before, and Americans weren't ready…” “ Several technological and political forces have converged, and that has produced a global, Web-enabled playing field that allows for multiple forms of collaboration without regard to geography or distance - or soon, even language.” - Thomas Friedman

“’ [T]he playing field is being leveled .’”

“ Indians and Chinese were going to compete for work like never before, and Americans weren't ready…”

“ Several technological and political forces have converged, and that has produced a global, Web-enabled playing field that allows for multiple forms of collaboration without regard to geography or distance - or soon, even language.”

oDesk Homeshoring: Beyond Call Centers Silicon Valley startup oDesk helps companies find -- and monitor -- at-home labor for a growing roster of jobs Part of oDesk's appeal is … helping employers overcome one of the biggest challenges they face when hiring remote contractors: trust.

Homeshoring: Beyond Call Centers

Silicon Valley startup oDesk helps companies find -- and monitor -- at-home labor for a growing roster of jobs

Part of oDesk's appeal is … helping employers overcome one of the biggest challenges they face when hiring remote contractors: trust.

Questions What will the global playing field be like during our career? If you were charged with hiring staff for a project, how do you feel about remote talent? Do you feel that you are competing with international talent?

What will the global playing field be like during our career?

If you were charged with hiring staff for a project, how do you feel about remote talent?

Do you feel that you are competing with international talent?