HUBLI, Sep 11: In an unique pilot project initiated by NASSCOM in association with Neilsoft, BVB College of Engineering and Technology (BVBCET) has been choosen as one of the three intitutions across the country to tackle the growing problem of shortage of graduates available for Engineering Services Industries.

College principal Ashok Shettar told reporters here on Tuesday that along with MS University, Baroda and College of Engineering, Pune, a pilot implementation of the Headstart programme - a 200 hour module - would be initiated. Arvind Galagali, faculty member, pointed that according to the Booz Allen report on engineering services, the global engineering services market is estimated to be $750 billion, out of which $10 to 15 billion is being off-shored. India's share of this offshore work is only 12 percent.

The report also estimates that by 2020, the market is going to be $1 trillion and offshoring will accont for $150-225 billion. The report expects India to grab a share of 25-30 percent. He also pointed that around 250,000 tp 375,000 engineers are required by 2020. "However with nearly 60 percnet of graduated seeking employment in the IT/BT areas, talent was getting highly skewed towards IT/BT," he added. Sudakshina Sinha Banerjee , Head of Corporate Communications, Neilsoft spoke on the occasion.

By 2009, this project is expected to be introduces to polytechnic and ITI schools, Bannerjee, added. ENS