After clearing the Executive/Professional Programme, students are compulsorily required to undergo 15 months of practical training in a company or under a Practising Company Secretary during which they are paid a stipend ranging from Rs. 8000-15,000 per month. They are sponsored by the Institute for the same. There is also a 15-day practical training with Registrar of Companies, Stock Exchange,financial or banking institutions. “Training is important to gain practical experience and understand industry trends which are significant for becoming a competent Company Secretary. It would not be possible to cater to your clients in the best possible way, unless you have handson training,” says Geetika Bhatia, who cleared her exam in second position.
Along with this, computer training has also become an important requirement for a professional Company Secretary (CS). Becoming a brilliant professional sans handson- computer knowledge would not sell. Good knowledge of MS office, and accounting software, apart from other basic computer knowledge, is needed. The ICSI has a provision under which a student can be exempted from computer training. One should pass the online test on website “http://icsi.sifyitest.com” developed by M/s Sify Software. Once cleared, students are able to download their certificates after 15 days and then they do not have to undergo the said training.