File image of students.
Credit: DH File Photo
Chennai: State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT), which has developed 50 industrial parks across the state, on Thursday announced an initiative aimed at bridging the skill gap between higher education and industry needs with a special focus on students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
The program aims to identify motivated students early in their academic journey and train them in industry-relevant skills through a structured, industry-supported Learning Management System (LMS). The first meeting on Competency Mapping and Skill Development Initiative with Industry Collaboration was held at FORT Sriperumbudur, a training centre focussed manufacturing and innovation.
SIPCOT has launched the initiative in coordination with Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE).
SIPCOT MD Dr K Senthil Raj said industries will provide inputs on emerging job roles and required competencies, which will shape the curriculum into progressive, self-paced modules, while students will select preferred roles by the end of their first year and undergo regular assessments.
“The initiative offers students opportunities such as internships, technical competitions, and inclusion in an empanelled talent pool. For industries, this model reduces post-recruitment training costs and enables early engagement with future talent,” he said.
About 100 companies in 5 SIPCOT Industrial Parks in Kancheepuram District participated in the meeting on Thursday and provided insights into job roles, skill requirements and assessment framework to tailor training programs that meet the industry’s needs.
SIPCOT has created and managed 50 industrial parks, including 8
Special Economic Zones (SEZs), spanning 48,926 acres in 24 districts with a focus on ensuring inclusive industrial development across the state. It has facilitated grounding 3,390 industrial units, attracting Rs.1.99 lakh crore investments and generating 8.79 lakh jobs.