Centre to allow 500 polytechnics to set up ITIs for skill training

The Centre has decided to allow opening of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) at 500 polytechnics to offer skill development programmes on various vocational subjects.

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) at its 99th executive meeting recently, approved a proposal to allow opening of the ITIs on the premises of only those polytechnics which are approved by it and have the necessary infrastructure. This requires certain amendments to the AICTE regulations on grant of approval to technical institutions.

“The process is on. The revised regulations will soon be notified,” official sources told DH.

The Centre is keen on starting the proposed ITIs using infrastructure and facilities of recognised polytechnics operating across the country as enabling the country’s youths with employable skills remains one of the major focus areas of the Narendra Modi government.

“The opening of the proposed ITIs at the existing polytechnics will not only help offer skill development programme at minimum cost with optimal utilisation of available resources but also save time in bringing the proposal to ground,” sources added.

As part of the Centre’s plan to create an employment-ready workforce for industry, the Union Cabinet earlier this month, approved an outlay of Rs.12,000 crore for offering vocational skill development programmes and granting certificates, hoping to benefit at least 10 million youths of the country over the next four years.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, the Centre has set a target of providing training to at least six million people for taking up various roles in the industry. AICTE has issued a circular inviting applications from the existing interested polytechnics.

“All applications need to addressed to the National Council for Vocational Training, which functions under the Skill Development Ministry. The proposals will be cleared only after due verification,” sources said.