Accenture, IGNOU offer Diploma in BPO

BANGALORE, INDIA: Accenture and the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) today launched a Diploma Programme in BPO, which will be available to one million IGNOU students.

The programme, targeted at undergraduate and graduate students from Tier I to IV cities, is aimed at positioning BPO as a 'formal' career option and to help the country's outsourcing industry.

Accenture said it will develop the course content and train teachers, and IGNOU would deliver the programme.

According to Nasscom president Som Mittal, "This initiative is very critical to sustain the BPO growth curve. This sector has potential to grow five fold to $50 billion by 2012, and skilled workforce is an integral part to achieve this goal"

He added that this course would be of immense assistance to access talent from the untapped labour pool.

The core curriculum for the one-year distance education programme is provided for communication and IT skills, specialising in various sectors according to industry needs.

Initially, the programme will include BPO services such as finance and accounting, insurance, human resources and customer contact services.

Those who have passed in 10+2 and along with the IGNOU certificate course in communications skills, are eligible to apply.

The course would cost around Rs 5000-7000.