Pioneers of IT education

Global Talent Development Corporation, NIIT better known for building skilled manpower pool for global IT industry requirements was established in 1981. Since its inception the brand has focused on helping the nascent IT industry to overcome its human resource challenges. The company showed complete trust in the concept of franchising, when it was an unheard concept. NIIT opted for franchise route for expansion in 1986. The concept has also lived up to brand’s expectations and has contributed to the popularity and to achieve the present stature enjoyed by it.

Discussed below is a case study on the brand and presents the role of franchising in making NIIT a dream institute for every IT aspirant.

Growth

NIIT has grown to be amongst world’s leading talent development companies offering learning solutions to individuals, enterprises and institutions across 40 countries.

On the company’s growth Amitabh Lahiri, Chief Business Officer, Career Building Solutions (IT), NIIT Ltd said: “In the past 30 years, NIIT has steered and led the training segment, shaped it, mentored it and enabled it to cross India’s borders into a global realm. NIIT is a household name, the friendly signboard that greets you almost everywhere across the length and breadth of our Nation. NIIT has marked its major presence across Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and the US. Currently NIIT has around 1000 plus centres including overseas centres.”

Presently, it is the largest IT training company in Asia and 16th largest in the world as per IDC, USA. NIIT works with global leaders in technology to provide training on modern technology platforms. Some of the most eminent names in the industry are: Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, Zend, SAS Institute and many more.

On the NIIT’s training Lahiri shares: “NIIT has a strong industry collaboration division with an unmatched track record in helping young NIIT-ians find their dream careers. In fact, NIIT has been rated as the first choice of employers for recruitment by data quest.”

NIIT solutions:
NIIT provide solutions for various platforms; it touches five million learners every year. Some of the solutions are:

NIIT’s Individual Learning Business: It includes industry-endorsed programmes for students looking for careers in IT – GNIIT and Edgeineers, and Global Net Plus for IT professionals.

NIIT’s Corporate Learning Solutions: It offers managed training services including learning solutions to Fortune 500 companies, Universities, Technology companies, Training corporations and Publishing houses.

NIIT Yuva Jyoti: It is a joint venture between NIIT and NSDC, offers vocational skills training programs to improve employability of youth across India.

NIIT Imperia - Centre for Advanced Learning: It offers Executive Learning Programs in association with leading Business schools in India, KPMG, Google India and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).

NIIT Institute of Finance Banking & Insurance (IFBI): IFBI formed by NIIT with equity participation from ICICI Bank, provideprograms for individuals and corporates in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance.

NIIT Institute of Process Excellence Limited: NIIT-GENPACT venture, attends to the rising demand for trained workers in the business and technology services industry by providing training programs in important areas.

Franchise success

To cater to the need of fastest growing IT industry in India, NIIT had to expand its network of education centres; therefore it opted for franchise business model. Lahiri shares the franchise success of NIIT: “NIIT pioneered franchising in IT education in 1986, by delivering high-quality, cutting-edge, standardised technology learning through a robust franchisee network.  The franchise route helped us in expanding faster in areas where reach and local experience were the challenges.”

NIIT has successfully built and implemented franchise models for different kinds of cities within India, and different countries, which are financially reasonable and create a win-win situation for both NIIT and its partners.

Franchise presence:

The company has franchise presence with around 1000 education centres, spanning across over 40 countries. It has provided computer-based learning to over 15,000 government and private schools.

Franchise opportunity

NIIT offers a lucrative business opportunity for aspirants interested in providing IT solutions to people. The brand is well established and provides a promising franchise opportunity. To acquire a franchise of this leading brand aspirants require an investment from Rs 15 to 20 lakh along with an area of 1,500 to 3,000 sq. ft.

To conclude it can be said that NIIT still has a long way to go as Lahiri shares the future growth in the sector: “According to a McKinsey-NASSCOM study, the IT/ITeS industry is projected to grow to USD 225 Billion by 2020, employing 10 million directly and 20 million people indirectly. With India poised to benefit the most from this scenario due to the demographic dividend of young, surplus manpower, the need for trained professionals is paramount. An investment in IT/ITeS training therefore pays rich dividends, as the training industry is poised for a boom, thus being the right opportunity for entrepreneurs to invest in innovative business models.”