Well begun is half done and the state labour department is upbeat. Its plans to upgrade six government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in collaboration with industry partners are afloat, with Ranchi and Jamshedpur being the latest additions.

 

Work had started in Chaibasa, Daltonganj, Dumka and Kharsawan last year and the ITIs in Ranchi and Jamshedpur will be included in the plan this fiscal.

 

Rs 2.5 crore has been assigned for the upgradation of each ITI, bringing the total cost of the plan to Rs 15 crore for the six ITIs. In all, there exist18 government-run ITIs in the state.

 

Funds for the scheme were sanctioned from the Union ministry of labour and employment between 2007-08 and 2008-09. At present, the Daltonganj and Chaibasa centres have utilised about Rs 45 lakh each for buying equipment and conducting minor repairs.

 

Associated Cement Company (ACC), Jhinkpani, is acting as the industry partner for Chaibasa while BCCL, Rehla, is working with the centre in Daltonganj. Tata Steel has agreed to help the Kharsawan ITI while Jasidih-based Hyderabad Asbestos will assist the Dumka ITI.

 

The state labour department is yet to finalise industry partners for the Ranchi and Jamshedpur centres.

 

Different ITI trades include that of an electrician, mechanical worker, fitter, welder, moulder and diesel mechanic. Industry partners will work with the centres to forecast emerging areas of employment, develop course curricula of various trades, develop instruction material for training, assist in training trainers, check availability of training and testing facilities, provide on-job training in their establishments, develop assessment standards and monitor quality.

 

Besides, they would also assist in placement of graduates. Though it is not mandatory, it is expected that industry partners make a financial contribution to the centre they are associated with. The partners can also contribute machinery and equipment for upgradation and assign faculty members for on-job training.

 

Principal secretary in state labour department S.K. Choudhary believed the scheme would prove beneficial, especially in the long term once the state's industrial climate improved with more units coming up.

 

The state government, in consultation with industry associations, selects the industry partners. Once chosen, an Institute Management Committee (IMC) is constituted with representatives of the industry partners. Four members are nominated by industry partners and five by the state government. The principal of respective ITIs happens to be ex-officio member secretary and one member becomes the chairperson.

 

Interest free loans of up to Rs 2.5 crore is given directly to IMCs for various purposes. With time, an ITI is also upgraded and is also listed as a Centre of Excellence in totality or for a particular sector.

 

May 16, 2009 / Telegraph