83,000 jobs await you

Call it the big job engine. The education sector, which remained largely unscathed in the meltdown, is cruising along, promising to generate strong job numbers. Education, training and consultancy will account for close to 83,000 new jobs in 2010-2011 alone, if a survey by Ma Foi Consultants is to be believed. The sector has an employee base of 97,15,000.

The new-jobs number has been predicted mainly on the basis of homegrown institutes in segments such as schooling, higher education and vocational training. "We see a surge, especially in the private sector education, including in vocational training, professional training, as well as growth in private schools," says E. Balaji, Chief Executive, Ma Foi Consultants. A policy push will encourage this growth.

Growth numbers, too, show promise. According to brokerage research firm CLSA'S estimates, the private sector education market in India is expected to reach $64 billion in 2013 and $107 billion in 2018–its current size being over $40 billion.

Little surprise then, that education business models at the level of private universities, engineering and business schools, and even in K-12 segments, are increasingly being run as company models. Hence, the sector is creating corporate roles. "About 20 per cent of these 83,000 jobs could be corporate roles like school managers and administrators," says Balaji.

That's not all. These numbers do not take into account jobs generated across education solution companies like Educomp Solutions. If e-learning and ICT jobs are included, the number will climb substantially, say recruiters.

Education solution players echo this sentiment. M.S. Venkatesh, President-HR, Educomp Solutions Group, is anxious to attract the right talent for his company. He is looking for both volumes and specialist roles. "Effectively our manpower strength will go up 30 per cent in the next one year," he says.

The company is hiring for business development areas like sales, and also looking to hire centre specialists and subject matter experts along with teachers for the schools division. The group has an employee strength of 13,400 at present. The sector is recruiting at all levels including chief executive roles. And since education is a nascent industry, the dearth of talent within this sector is forcing a lateral move at the leadership level from sectors like FMCG, pharma and hospitality, according to Ravi Bhatia, MD, Gilbert Tweed Associates, India.

Business leaders such as Vivek Govil, President and CEO, Pearson Education, are tapping other sectors to hire talent. "There is a talent shortage in education industry. At senior and functional head levels, transition from other industries is happening and will rise in the near future," says Govil, who has recently hired his CFO from the pharma sector.

NOW HIRING

• Business development experts
• Centre specialists
• Subject matter experts
• Product developers
• Finance managers
• School administrators