Chennai : In the National Selections for World Skills Competition (WSC) 2015 for IT Software Solutions for Business (ITSSB) skill, four candidates have been shortlisted after an intensive nationwide competition that concluded in the Capital. The four engineering students – Neha Valecha of Bhiwani, Saurabh Kanwar of Karnal, Nishant Jain of Chennai & Ujjwal Gulecha of Bangalore – will further compete with each other at the Final Selections, scheduled in March 2015. The finalist will represent India in the 43rd World Skills Competition (WSC) – referred popularly, as the Skills Olympics – being hosted at Sao Paulo, Brazil on 11-16 August 2015.

Sector Skills Council (SSC) NASSCOM has been appointed by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to spearhead India’s participation at the WSC 2015 for ITSSB skill. Preparations for WSC 2015 ITSSB category is supported by NASSCOM member organizations like NIIT, Microsoft, IBM, Infosys and Web Chutney. On 29th & 30th November, 2014 the National Selections were conducted in New Delhi. Hosted by NIIT, the Training Partner for India’s ITSSB entry into WSC, this event saw 16 nationwide aspirants, compete against each other over a two day intensive selection process.The shortlisted four candidates, now begin their training and mentorship program with the best expert and mentors identified by the IT industry.

SSC NASSCOM has facilitated India’s participation in the WSC 2013 ITSSB category in the past and the candidate, representing India in that category, Sarthak Jain, was awarded a ‘Medallion of Excellence’.

World Skills Competition is the largest international ‘Vocational Skills Competition’ in the world. It takes place in a different country every two years and brings together over 1,000 young people from across the globe to compete in skillsranging from weldingto web design. The competitors pitch their skills against the best of the best and compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. World Skills Competition attracts thousands of visitors such as schools, colleges and training providers, government representatives, employers and teachers. Details about the World Skills can be accessed

India became the 48th member of the World Skills International on 20th January 2007 with CII as its only member organization; the responsibility has been taken over by National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC), set up by the Ministry of Finance under Public People Partnership (PPP) mode, to provide the prestigious event an international platform. NSDC represents World Skills activities through World Skills India. NSDC, an empowered organization will be the official body representing the country at the World Skill Competition. In general there are 6 Skills Clusters, namely Transport & Logistics, Construction and Building Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, ITC Technology, Creative Art and Fashion, Social and Personal Services. The competitors are required to be not more than 22 in the year of competition with exception being for Mechatronics, where the competitors must not be older than 25 years in the year of competition.

“World Skills Competition is a fabulous opportunity for the young people to showcase their IT acumen at a global forum. WSC is a forum that provides an equal opportunity for the eligible candidates. This weekend the National selections have been completed, where we were enthused by the talent exhibited by the participants. We wish the shortlisted candidates all the best as they prepare for the finals early next year.” said Dr. Sandhya Chintala, Executive Director, SSC NASSCOM & Vice President, NASSCOM.

Speaking on the occasion, Dilip Chenoy, MD & CEO, NSDC said, “I am thrilled to experience such excitement and amazingly sharp skills in our youth. There is huge potential and talent that we see here. The WorldSkills competitions provide a fantastic opportunity to benchmark skills within a country, against the rest of the world. I am proud how NSDC along with its partners is preparing out youth to compete at a world scale. Like in the last WorldSkills, we hope to bring laurels to the country again in the next one across various categories and sectors.”

Speaking on occasion Mr. Vijay Thadani, CEO, NIIT Limited said, “It has been our continuing endeavor at NIIT, to set global standards and promote excellence in IT and Beyond IT skills through cutting-edge learning solutions. India’s participation in World Skills Competition, 2015 is a great step in that direction and we are delighted to be a part of this initiative as the Training Partner”