Britons rush to help India's skills crisis

An army of British workers is being recruited to staff India's vast network of call centres because of a shortage of suitable candidates there.

In a remarkable reversal of the outsourcing that has seen thousands of jobs lost in Britain, telesales operations are looking to fill a skills gap in the east with young Britons willing to work on Indian wages.

And they are eagerly taking up the challenge. Recent graduates and those with experience of working in British call centres are flocking to sign up for jobs in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore that pay just 350 ($895) a month.

It might not sound like much, but many are finding they can earn enough to live on for six months or a year before heading off travelling.

Indeed, a stint in the call centres followed by a period mellowing out on Goa's beaches or touring the palaces of Rajasthan is becoming the fashionable way to spend a gap year.

The problem has arisen because although millions of Indians aspire to work in the call centres, managements are becoming more particular about whom they hire.

This follows complaints from callers in Britain about staff being unable to understand them.

There has also been a high attrition rate in many of the centres, as Indians became fed up with punishing hours and abuse from callers.

That has not put off the young Britons. The clamour for jobs in India has reached such a level that agencies have been set up to place them with Indian firms.

One is Launch Offshore, founded by Tim Bond. "People are desperate to sample a slice of another way of life," Mr Bond said.

Among the first to land in India was Kenny Rooney, a 28-year-old from Scotland. After nine months in India he says he does not want to return.

"I have had a brilliant time and met people from all over the world."

Young Britons of Indian origin are also finding the jobs offer them a chance to rediscover their roots. Among them is Hasmita Patel. "This has been the best thing I've ever done," said Ms Patel, from Leicester. "It has really allowed me to see the country and get to know people. I've learned so much about myself."

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