45,000 smiles at job melaFair

Source:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/45000-smiles-at-job-melaFair/articleshow/5525515.cms

BANGALORE: Here's a state government scheme that saw more than 45,000 get jobs even during the peak of recession.

While most schemes launched by the government either do not take off or hit a road block, udyog mela or the job fair organized by the labour department, saw overwhelming response.

Launched eight months ago by the government at a time when economic slowdown was at its peak and lay-off by private companies was the norm, the job fair scheme has been able to provide employment to 45,173 people in private companies at all levels (particularly at skilled labour level), making it one of the most successful projects undertaken by the Yeddyurappa government. The labour department, nodal agency to implement the scheme, terms it as one of the largest successful schemes in the country in recent times.

Job fairs are where private companies participate in a fair organized by the government. Candidates, whose turnout is in thousands, are selected on the spot based on their qualification and the nature of job they require. So far fairs have been held in 12 cities in the state.

The first fair in Bangalore itself attracted 87 companies with total requirement of more than 5,600 jobs. Finally, these companies selected over 2,800 candidates. While the Shimoga job fair turned out to be biggest in terms of participation, Belgaum job fair had maximum offers with nearly 14,000 jobs up for the grabs.

Software, telecom, insurance, security guards, apparel, computer hardware, health, hospitality, engineering, tyres, multi-media, education among others are some of the sectors that have offered employment to the job-seekers. Some of the big companies that have participated in the event include Infosys BPO Ltd, HDFC Insurance, Eureka Forbes, Airtel, Reliance, GMR Group, HCL Software and JK Tyres.

"It was a big challenge for us as the global meltdown had just set in. We were apprehensive whether private companies would participate in the udyog mela. But all our doubts were cleared in the first fair itself as good number of companies turned out providing employment on the spot. This method reduces the delay that happens in normal recruitment process,'' labour minister B N Bachhe Gowda told TOI.

City......no. of cos........requirement...........jobs

Hubli........79.........6,820.......3,084

Mysore.......77........10,579......5,561

Gulbarga.....53.......7,119......3,422

Mangalore...109.......6,111......2,814

Belgaum......73........13,841......4,612

Tumkur......105.........8,040.....3,645

Bellary......98........8,959.......3,788

Bijapur......105.......10,939......4,756

Shimoga.....136........10,254.....5,684

Chamarajanagar..94....4,508.....1,868

Karwar........78........11,470........3,132

anil.kumar5@timesgroup.com