Frustrated trainees bailing out of HAL Bangalore

BANGALORE: Hundreds of young engineers and designers, who have joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as design and management trainees (DTs & MTs), have exited the company in the last two years. While meagre pay is the primary reason for their sudden exit, lack of decent amenities, furniture, computers, hygienic food, challenging assignments and zero mentoring have also propelled the exodus.The New Indian Express’ efforts to get an official version went in vain with HAL top brass failing to give any forthright response. Hence we relied on facts and figures given by our sources who had access to HAL’s recruitment and training process.While one set put the number of youngsters who quit at around 300 (162 from January 2010 to March 2011 and around 100 from March to October 2011), another official rounded it off to around 400 (241 from January 2010 to March 2011 and 160 till date).Close to 80 per cent of people quitting are in Grade I, II & III, while 15 per cent are in Grade IV &  V and  the remaining five per cent above Grade VI.