Intern scheme may tap local talent

EXPERTS SAID THAT more changes are needed in the second round of the scheme which is currently under way.

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"The problem is that the shortlisting is being done by the ministry, and the candidates which are referred to the companies often don't fit the bill. The government should also transfer the shortlisting job to the companies," said spokesperson of a large employer on condition of anonymity.

Sources said that many companies are struggling to benefit from the scheme because of "a lack of ownership" at the company level and poor assessment of the workforce gap. Participating companies are facing problems with training of the candidates due to the geographic constraints, as the stipend amount appears insufficient to motivate interstate relocation, creating a mismatch between available opportunities and candidate mobility, they said.