Wipro Technologies, has developed a new initiative aimed at strengthening the consulting and customer management skills of its frontline employees. The EAS (Enterprise Application Services) Consulting Academy aims to go beyond training to inculcate the right engagement behavior at an early stage that will go beyond improving customer satisfaction.

The academy offers a six month certification programme to all Wipro employees who are involved in delivering consulting solutions to its clients. The program includes a combination of class room sessions followed by implementation of the learnings at the client workspace.

The EAS consulting academy has received positive responses from clients, with some getting actively involved as faculty at the academy and acting as "guides" to pre-assigned students throughout the training period.

Joe Simon, CIO, Viacom, commented "It is great to see Wipro making these strategic investments into consulting, inspite of the prevailing economic conditions."

The program will be run by Wipro's Corporate Human resource Development in conjunction with Enterprise Application Services business unit as well as eminent academicians and luminaries from the industry. The study will be facilitated through case studies, anecdotal learning interspersed with rigorous assignments in all areas. Wipro plans to certify around 300 consultants globally in the current financial year. The first batch of 60 consultants will get certified by September 2009.