A new government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) was declared open at Sakwang village in South West Khasi Hills district today.
The ITI was constructed under the project- Enhancing Skill Development Initiative in North Eastern State and Sikkim. Land for its construction was donated by the dorbar shnong.
Labour, Employment and Skill Development Minister, Shakliar Warjri who attended the inaugural function as the chief guest emphasised that the establishment of this ITI would greatly benefit the local youth as well as the entire district.
He informed that the ITI will offer five trades, including Surface Embroidery Trade (SET), Wiremen, Office Assistant and Computer Programme (OA&CP), Multimedia Animation and Special Effects (MA&SE), and Driver cum Mechanic.
He said the government plans to establish more ITIs across the state to enhance skills training opportunities for youth and encourage enrolment in programs that offer skill development in diverse fields. “After the completion of training, the government will also offer placement assistance to eligible students, supporting them in initiating their own ventures,” he stated.
The Minister also emphasised on the necessity of establishing a hostel for students, particularly those from remote areas who encounter challenges in commuting from distant locations.
Mawkyrwat MLA, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar expressed optimism that the training institute would be a boon for the district, particularly the youth seeking to acquire knowledge and skills through its programs. He said that providing youth with skills would not only reduce their reliance on government jobs but also enable them to seek opportunities in the private sector.
Tongkhar also urged the people to utilise the institute’s resources effectively and appealed to the teaching faculty to exert effort and deliver their best to ensure that the available resources yield positive results.
Principal Secretary C. Songate appealed to the ITI faculty to work hard to keep the institute’s standards high from the initial stage. He mentioned that, with the assistance from the local MLA, they will try to procure the best possible equipment for the institute.
The inaugural programme was also attended by Deputy Commissioner Tableland Lyngwa, Director of Employment and Craftsmen Training, A. Kharpor, officials and others.
