The IT (Information Technology) industry is one of the most robust industries of present times and a key driver of global economic growth. Owing to the easy accessibility and increased productivity, the demand for IT services has substantially increased over the years. The IT industry has emerged as a major source of employment for the masses as it trains students for global careers in the IT industry. It provides a wide range of services which include:
- Systems architecture
- Networking
- Application development
- Maintenance and hosting
- Database design and development
- Operational support
- Security services
- Testing
- Documentation
With the worldwide expansion of IT education institutes catering to the growing demands of IT professionals, taking up the franchise of a well known brand can surely fetch high returns.
Major players
A number of well recognised players included in the list of IT education providers who have achieved accolades across the globe are NIIT, Aptech, IIHT (Indian Institute of Hardware Technology Ltd), Jetking and few more. The vision of these institutes is to prepare students for global careers in the IT industry. These players have expanded not just across the nation but also internationally by taking the franchise route. As G Raghavan, President, Global Individual Learning Solutions, NIIT says, “The way to achieve that dream ‘Bring people and computers together successfully’ was to create a talent pool of bright young minds who could power the engines of the global economy. We launched the franchisee business model in early 1980s. A large part of our success has been possible due to our business partners, who have been a crucial element of our fabric.”
Eligibility criteria
To take the franchise of an IT education institute, you need to be well educated and must have a good hold on the concept of the IT business. As Ninad Karpe, CEO, Aptech Ltd says, “Since we are in the business of training and education, it is important that the franchisees are well-qualified, evolved individuals, with a strong customer orientation.” Secondly, an aspirant should have the passion for delivering quality education to its students. Lastly, the franchisee must be financially sound to bear the overhead expenses as the business requires periodic changes / up gradations in infrastructure, change in curriculum or technology demands.
Franchise offerings
Being a franchisee, your franchisor will provide you with the necessary support and guidance not just at the initial stage but even after the establishment of the business. The franchisor provides you with all the marketing support that will be required to promote the brand at the local level. They also help in recruiting and training the staff. The best part is that the franchising company does regular audits to keep a check on the performance of the franchisees and to up grade their services with time. As Karpe says, “Aptech provides its franchisees with a brand name, technical know-how, curricula and academic delivery methodology, marketing and advertising materials, training, placement and web centric support.”
So, franchising an IT education industry is the best business proposition for an aspiring entrepreneur to venture into. With the rising demands of IT educational professionals taking up a franchise is surely a profitable business deal.
