Post-2009 lull, promising placements for NIFT in 2010

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), the country’s leading fashion design institute, is expecting buoyancy to return in its placement process this year.

The institute, which saw a fall in average salaries by Rs 1.42 lakh in 2008 and faced a deferred final placements in 2009, is optimistic that new year will be promising in terms of placements.

To begin, NIFT is planning to separate placement dates for both its masters and undergraduate programme. “While there are no major changes in strategy, the placements for the masters programme is offered in separate dates than bachelors,” said Prabir Jana, head-industry linkage unit, NIFT. The process is believed to help the institute offer quality time to firms as well as students.

Add to that, the institute expects more number of companies visiting its campuses across the country for final placements. According to Jana, “We are expecting manufacturing and retail sectors to participate in big numbers this year. We have already started receiving confirmation. More than 3000 organisations are being invited for final placement. There were many first timers last year, and this year too we are expecting many first timers specially from non-apparel sectors.” For instance, last year saw biggies like Bharti Walmart and Tata Trends visiting its campus.

“Last year it was difficult to accommodate all students during placements. However, this time the atmosphere is different. We are already seeing an indication in the industry internship that students are currently involved in. As against last year, where 25 per cent of students received pre-placement offers (PPOs), this year we expect the number to go up to as high as 60 per cent,” said Binaya Bhushan Jena, faculty member of the Fashion Management Studies (FMS) department, NIFT Gandhinagar.

Moreover, while students were hardly offered any stipends during internship in 2009, Jena said students have been offered average stipends worth Rs 15,000. Last year, around 79 per cent of the 1,546-strong batch at NIFT New Delhi, Mumbai, Gandhinagar, Bangalore and Chennai were registered to participate in campus placements. Final placements for 2010 are expected to begin by February 10, said Jena.