Wipro Technologies, the Global IT Services Division of Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT), today announced that it has been ranked sixth in the American Society for Training & Development’s 2006 BEST Awards Program. Wipro is among 39 organizations from India, South Africa, and the United States to receive the ASTD BEST Award and the only Indian IT organization to win the award three years in a row. Wipro is ranked 6th globally and is the only IT services firm in the top 10.

The ASTD BEST Awards recognize organizations that demonstrate enterprise-wide success through employee learning and development. According to Jennifer Homer, Sr.Director, Public Relations & Public Policy, ASTD, “The winners set the standard of excellence for exceptional learning practices, and demonstrate that a skilled workforce is vital to achieving results.” Homer continues, “The 2006 ASTD BEST Award winners use learning as a strategic tool and have the support of senior leaders who champion a learning culture.”

A team of 125 dedicated faculty spread across Wipro locations nurtures the talent of employees covering Technology, Behavioral, Domain, Project Management and Leadership. Commenting on the award, Selvan D, Sr. Vice President - Talent Transformation, Wipro Technologies said, “The ASTD award is a testimony to our efforts in providing a rich learning experience for our employees that translates into delivering higher value and improved customer satisfaction”. Wipro is geared to train up to 5000 employees simultaneously. In 2005-06, Wipro delivered over 380,000 person days of learning of which 30% was through technology enabled learning.

Through an online survey, the 2006 BEST Awards received applications from 78 organizations in seven countries. These organizations submitted quantitative and qualitative information to ASTD about their learning and development practices and programs. Their applications were assessed by members of the BEST Awards advisory committee, a group of experts in the learning and performance field.

Wipro has learning centers in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurgaon and Kolkota and the learning centers are connected with virtual class room network with two broadcast facilities in Hyderabad and Bangalore.