State plans skill development trainers' centre

A centre for training master trainers in skill development, first of its kind in the country, will be launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on October 2.

The Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Centre for Training Master Trainers in Skill Development will initially function from Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology campus and later move to its full-fledged campus near Muddenahalli near Chikkballapur.

Briefing reporters, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister M Veerappa Moily, said initially two courses — automotive engine diagnostics with support from Bosch India and masonry/formwork/barbending with support from Larsen & Tourbo will be started. Those trained at the institute will be equipped with skills either to start their own enterprise or train others in the sector, he said.

The State government has sanctioned 10 acres of land near Muddenahalli for the full fledged campus and construction activities will start soon, he said. The project will be implemented in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

Former Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor N R Shetty, also Vice-Chairman of Society for Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya National Training Facility for Skills for All, which will run the centre, said the course duration will be three months and a nominal fee would be charged.

He said the centre hopes to produce 27,000 master trainers in 10 years, who, in turn, are expected to produce a three million trained skill workforce in the country.