FTS Conducted By IAF
An Indian Air Force officer addressing candidates appearing for the Fast Track Selection of the IAF at the Park College of Engineering and Tekhnology in Coimbatore on Sunday. The Fast Track Selection (FTS) conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) here on Sunday saw a number of engineers in attendance for the preliminary selection to short-list candidates for training them to become officers in the IAF.
The 360 men and 60 women engineers from Coimbatore and nearby districts, and Kerala, had come down to take the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) at the Park College of Engineering and Tekhnology, Kaniyur. The selection was for entry into the branches of aeronautical engineers (electronics), aeronautical engineers (mechanical) and meteorology. For a first of its kind in the district, the FTS turned out to be quite a crowd puller. Even engineers who had passed out in 2007 and 2008 and with good jobs in hand had made a beeline.
Representatives from the IAF addressed the candidates on what they could look forward to in terms of working conditions, pay scale, etc., before the candidates were sent for the EKT. After the EKT, 64 men and nine women got qualified for the picture perception test and group discussion. Those who got finalised in this would be sent for further selection at Service Selection Board, Mysore, shortly. S. Aiswarya, a B. Tech. computer engineer from Thiruvananthapuram, who got selected to go to Mysore, was unable to contain her exhilaration. “I am working in an Information Technology company. But, with the economic crisis, there is no job security. A job in the Central Government gives security. Also, the love for the uniform has brought me to this selection. Motivation came from my uncle, who is in the IAF.”
According to Group Captain (Retd.) S. Gowrishankar, Professor, Department of Aeronautical Studies of the college, Air Force officials were pleased with the turnout. “It is a win-win situation for all. Private jobs are few and seekers are more. The requirement in Defence is more, while the takers are less. There is not only job security but also with the Sixth Pay Commission scale, the salary has become attractive. The large turnout is proof that youth have realised this.”
Suresh S., a mechanical engineer from Coimbatore, working in an engineering firm was interested in joining the IAF for the novelty and “doing something different”. “I do not have a Defence background; but my parents encouraged me to take the test. The salary is quite sufficient and the job is secure.”
Naveen G.S., a B. Tech in IT, did not see a future in software industry. “Everybody seems to be going the IT way. With the present situation, the best option is to be in a Government job. I am interested in the IAF for the challenge.” The selection was an eye-opener to the changing trend of professionals going the “Babudom” way. Engineers were looking at permanency in their profession rather than on attractive pay packets that could not be sustained.
