HCL Technologies to Add 10,000 Jobs Over Next 5 Years

Jan. 26, 2012

Jobs will be added both in the U.S and Europe through Global Centers of Excellence

HCL Technologies, the fourth largest IT service company in India, announced on Jan. 26 that it will add 10,000 local jobs in both the U.S. and Europe over the next five years.

The company will do this through the creation of Global Centers of Excellence in key U.S. and European markets. The goals are to foster greater collaboration between HCL and local communities, universities, governments and customers; significantly increase employee competiveness and accelerate job creation efforts in both the U.S. and Europe.

It will expand investments that the company has recently made in key markets including Seattle, Raleigh, Rochester, NY and Wilsonville, Oregon. In each of these areas, HCL has created engineering hubs and delivery centers and hired thousands of local workers.

Building on the company's "Socially Responsible Business Initiative," these new centers will allow the company to contribute socially, economically and academically while strengthening its business model in these two regions.

This philosophy is an extention of its "Employees First, Customers Second" philosophy. "As our unique Employees First culture has continued to grow and evolve, we've seen more and more HCL employees expressing the desire to see a truly socially responsible business model," said Vineet Nayar, Vice Chairman & CEO, HCL Technologies.

"Clearly, the need of the hour is growth and employment and we believe that this initiative will create unique business value for HCL while generating sustainable employment in local economies for years to come. It will need significant collaboration of all stakeholders, however we do believe that it can be done and we are committed to backing this program with all our resources and best intent," he added.

The Centers will offer recruitment and training programs for college graduates as well as provide platforms for developing an IT skill pool in local communities through collaboration with anchor customers and universities. HCL will be working with 12 universities to offer a six-month elective course -- as well as workshops on technology and management -- and encouraging innovation through contests such as the HCL-M-Prize. HCL's technology partners will also join hands in this initiative to provide training in upcoming technologies so that the talent deficit in these areas gets addressed.

The company is also working closely with government agencies to enlist their support in developing these ecosystems.

A pilot program started on these lines across five HCL centers located in Seatle, Cary, N.C., Helsinki, Finland, Krakow in Poland and Dublin, has already shown early signs of success.

Note: Nayar spoke on the 2102 DavosForum decscribing the economic "Perfect Storm." To view click here.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.