The global economic markets are gloomy but it hasn't dampened local recruiters' enthusiasm to recruit young blood at the campus placement of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar, which began on February 14. The number of recruiters  visiting the campus not only more than doubled compared to last year, but the companies are also showing more enthusiasm in placing job offers.

The campus placement earlier had around 12 companies taking part in the recruitment. The number has increased to 35 this year. Like the previous years, the recruiters are Gujarat-based companies. While the placement process is yet to be completed, the average package totaling Rs 25,000 on the second day of the process has beaten the record of last year's average, which was around Rs 20,000.

"We are receiving a rigorous response from local recruiters who are coming with an open mind this year. As compared to the previous years, the recruiters are more eager to place offers to the candidates. Until last year, we had to wait for as much as 15 days for confirmation of the placement offers from the recruiters. But this year, companies are more eager and are giving on the spot job offers. Earlier, companies also used to place many terms and conditions such as testing students' skills for a few months before giving them a job offer. But this has not been the case this year. They are more confident in the skill and talent of our students," said Panchami Mistry, a faculty at NIFT, Gandhinagar, who is in charge of the campus placements at the institute.

Explaining the positive response from the recruiters despite the shaky financial conditions globally, senior manager of the human resources department at Arvind Ltd, Subhanish Malhotra, said: "Indian companies have increased their capacities and have expanded a lot. Companies are exploring international markets. Despite a slight deterioration in some of the international markets, most other markers are receiving Indian products very well. Due to this there is a requirement for competent and talented employees in these companies."

Some of the recruiters who are taking part at the campus placement of the institute this year include Arvind, V-Mart, Rajka, Gamshree, Huthesing design and so on. NIFT, Gandhinagar has 180 students, which includes 130 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate students, and they will be graduating this year.

The placement process will conclude on Thursday.