The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) orchestrated a pivotal consultation workshop, bringing together industry stalwarts to revamp and fortify the Industrial Training Institutions (ITI) nationwide.
This strategic move aligns with the recent Union Budget’s ambitious “PM’s Package for Employment and Skilling,” a visionary initiative championed by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
The workshop witnessed robust participation from over 75 companies, each contributing insights to shape the future of skilling and vocational education in India.
ITI Ecosystem: Industry Collaboration
The consultation session aimed to harness industry wisdom, ensuring that ITIs evolve into dynamic centers of excellence. Key areas of focus included:
Designing New Courses: Industry representatives deliberated on crafting relevant and cutting-edge courses that align with the demands of a rapidly changing job market.
Revamping Existing ITI Courses: The goal? To breathe new life into traditional programs, making them more responsive to industry needs.
Industry Faculty for New Courses: Companies pledged support by providing expert trainers who bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Training of Trainers (ToT): Elevating the skills of ITI instructors to match global standards.
On-the-Job Training (OJT): Industry collaboration ensures that students gain practical experience, enhancing employability.
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Hub-and-Spoke Model: A Paradigm Shift for ITI
MSDE proposed an ambitious transformation plan:
These 200 institutions will emerge as Centers of Excellence, hubs of innovation, and skill development. They will lead the charge in shaping India’s workforce.
The remaining 800 ITIs will form the spokes, interconnected with the hubs. Together, they’ll create a robust ecosystem that bridges theory and practice.
Companies stepped up, offering managerial support, advanced equipment, and even corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions. Their involvement is pivotal for success.
To ensure effective execution, governance structures were meticulously discussed. Transparency, accountability, and resource utilization took center stage. The industry’s voice will guide policy implementation, fostering a vibrant skilling environment.
Selecting ITI: A Challenge-Based Approach
The selection process for upgrading ITIs will be rigorous. A challenge-based method will identify the most deserving institutions. Additionally, five National Institutes for Training of Trainers (ToT) will receive upgrades, enhancing their capacity to produce skilled trainers.
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Representatives from diverse sectors participated enthusiastically including Electronics and IT, Textile, Power and Green Energy. Other industries included are Manufacturing, Construction, Automotive and Industry Automation.
Prominent companies including Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Tata Steel, Gail, JK Cement lent their expertise. Companies like Mahindra & Mahindra, Adani Green Energy, Kia Motors, Wipro Ltd. were also a part of the discussion.
Distinguished leaders spearheaded sector-specific discussions. Some of the leaders present at the meeting were Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, Shri Nilambuj Sharan, Senior Economic Advisor, MSDE, Ms. Trishalji Sethi, Director General for Training, MSDE.
Apart from this Ms. Sonal Mishra, Joint Secretary, MSDE, Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, MSDE and DG NIESBUD, Ms. Neena Pahuja, Executive Member, NCVET were also a part of this discussion.
The meeting on ITIs was also attended by Ms. Vinita Agarwal, Executive Member, NCVET and Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, Chief Operating Officer, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
A Leap Toward India’s Skill Capital
Speaking at this event, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Minister of State, Ministry of Education said, “Today we are at an inflexion point where policies, global best practices, partner countries pathways for apprenticeship and internships are being opened.”
In the words of Shri Jayant Chaudhary, “This is an opportunity for the industry to design the path as per their requirement to address their talent shortage.”
“The ITI ecosystem is vast but with the right governance and industry investment in skill development can make us competitive and become the world’s Skill Capital,” he added.
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