The economic downturn seems to be urging more and more youngsters to opt for job security over fast money.The technical wing of Air Force station in Chandigarh-job security being one of the chief attraction of the forces-has seen close to four-fold increase in the number of applicants this year for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). On an average, this wing receives 600-800 applications every year; this year the Chandigarh Centre has received 2,800 applications. Keeping in mind the higher number of candidates appearing for the test, the selection committee is thinking of conducting the test in two shifts and to look for more centres.
The Air Force station?s education officer, Wg Cdr Manoj Kumar Beranwal, told FE, ?The number of applications received this year is certainly beyond our expectations. Lucrative emoluments offered by the Ministry of Defence and the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations can also be reasons for the increase in the number of candidates this time.?
Talking about the students? growing preference for the government sector, Prof KK Garg, training and placement officer, Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh, said, ?In a recently held placement drive in the college, students showed more interested in taking up jobs in the public sector companies rather than the private sector. The shift towards the public sector comes amid growing job insecurity in the private sector and the global economic downturn. Students want job security over fat pay packets.?
According to estimates, around 9,000 students graduate in different streams of Engineering from Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana every year. The Indian Air Force conducts nationwide written tests for officer-level posts in its engineering branch. This year the test will be conducted on April 26.