DTE takes assessment route to improve placements in polytechnics

The state Department of Technical Education (DTE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HireMee, a CSR initiative, to bridge the gap between recruiters and students of nearly 300 polytechnic colleges in the state.

HireMee will conduct a uniform assessment for students of polytechnic colleges - government, aided and private. A 100-minute test will be administered to students online after which they will be given scores on seven parameters including verbal, logic, quantitative aptitude, communication, technical knowledge and psychometrics.

A profile will be created for each student on the HireMee website and an application, where the students' score will be displayed along with their GPA and other academic details. Students can also upload a video resume of up to 60 seconds.

Companies looking to recruit can filter candidates based on their scores and make selections. Once selected, candidates will undergo the regular interview process as per company policy.

H U Talawar, director of DTE, said that while colleges in Bengaluru get about 15-20% campus placements, in rural colleges almost no campus offers are made.

"There is a lot of talent even in rural areas. We want to enhance employment and reduce the gap between industry and institutions," he said. With the help of HireMee, the department hopes that at least 50% of final year polytechnic students get placed.

The assessment will be made compulsory for all 294 polytechnic colleges under the DTE and is expected to benefit over 60,000 students.

The MoU is for one year and HireMee is providing its services free of cost to the department, colleges and students.

Chocko Valliappa, the founder of HireMee, said they plan to conduct one million assessments this year in South India. They have already entered into MoUs with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU).