BPO skill test is back

The Karnataka government is relaunching its BSAT (BPO Skills Assessment and Training) initiative. However, this time around, the programme will feature only in tier II cities like Mysore, Mangalore and Belgaum and not Bangalore.

Marking the comeback, the government initiative found a place in the BPO and Career Services Pavilion at the IT.Com. In fact, the stall had a sample of the reinvigorated programme and was there for BPO career aspirants to test their skills in English language, verbal ability and diction.

BSAT was launched initially at Bangalore in September last and withdrawn in January this year.

During the period, owing to the geographic limitations, the programme managed to test just 300 candidates. However, backed by the experience, the initiative is now targeted at accessing a larger geography and with that the talent spread across the state.

A BSAT official said that the government aims to position the initiative as a one-stop shop for BPO skill assessments.

"Typically, we evaluate the candidate based on our comprehensive tests. The candidate's ability is then incorporated into our database which will be handed over to the government. This in turn will be shared with the partner BPO companies." Currently, the government has roped in Eduequity and MeritTrac to assess the candidates.

Immediately though, the initiative still seems to lack the mass appeal. At the BangaloreIT.Com, just three candidates had taken up the test by tea on the first day.

While the BPO and career services hall witnessed strong activity, the BSAT initiative did not. Officials said, enquiries were strong but candidates were discouraged by the Rs 200 fee charged to take the test.