A Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 4
At least three major projects, in the form of one “model ITI Center of international standard” and two additional district Industrial Training Institutes, are in the pipeline for Nagaland as part of the central government’s attempt to “bring skill development to your doorstep.”
This was announced by the Union Minister of State (in-charge) of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Parliamentary Affairs, Rajiv Pratap Rudy here today at Patkai Christian College, Chumukedima. He was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on “Skilling the youths of Nagaland.”
According to Rudy, the two district ITIs will come up at Longleng and Kiphire “in the next year” while the “model ITI center” could either be located at Dimapur or Kohima. He assured that the central ministry will initiate the works once the state government submits the proposal(s) for the same.
While announcing these projects, Rudy also underscored New Delhi’s commitment to produce skilled workforce across the country. “For so many years our focus was on education. Most of studied for degrees but getting education doesn’t get you jobs.”
To underscore his message, he pointed out that more than 15% engineering graduates and more than 17% management graduates in India are unemployed. To tackle this, he reasoned, skill development must dovetail along with formal education.
He encouraged colleges and educational institutions to adopt such measures by partnering with the ministry concerned to train their students. “We will provide you with the resources,” he assured. Rudy also said that the central ministry was ready to explore ways to “introduce basic skilling space” in school curriculum, if the respective state education boards were willing.
Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, speaking as the guest of honor highlighted the need to provide hostel facilities at the ITIs. “The ITIs are situated at a distance from the target group and accessibility becomes a major hurdle for the trainees.”
He also suggested the central ministry to continue with the financial assistance that was available under the Skill Development Initiative (SDI) scheme. “Under the new Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, there is no provision for such financial support. Without financial support, it will be financially too taxing for our youth.”
The Chief Minister further encouraged the state’s educational institutes to introduce such seminars and trainings to their students, in partnership with the ministry concerned, “instead of waiting for the large infrastructures to arrive.”
Rudy unveils foundation stone of iti in Dimapur
Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of India, Rajiv Pratap Rudy unveiled the foundation stone of government ITI in Dimapur today.
Among others, Chief Minister Nagaland ,T.R Zeliang, Parliamentary Secretary Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Border Affairs Nagaland, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Cabinet Ministers, Comm & Secy Labour and Employment Mhonbemo Patton, D.C, Dimapur, Commissioner Police, Director and staffs of Employment& Craftsman Training Nagaland were also present on the occasion
