Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong on Saturday inaugurated the New Block of the Industrial Training Centre (ITI), Tura.
Funded through the Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), for Rs 7.76 Crore, the Tura ITI seeks to improve quality, delivery, and access to secondary and higher secondary (SHS) education and technical and vocational skills training in Tura.
With its operations since 1965, ITI Tura started with three trades – Welder, Fitter & Carpentry and simultaneously Stenography (1975), Mechanic Motor Vehicle (1976), and Electrician (1981).
The ‘Vocational Training Improvement Project’ – a World Bank project was implemented in 2014 with an additional introduction of Surveyor, Draughtsman Mechanical & Draughtsman Civil. Construction of the new building under the ADB commenced with the introduction of additional trades – Electronics Mechanics, Dressmaking, Catering & Hospitality Assistant, and Operator Advance Machine Tools.
In 2015, seating capacity was increased from 206 to 348 after project interventions in 2020.
Since then, the enrolment has increased from 128 trainees in 2015 to 265 trainees in 2020/21.
The ITI has trained more than 600 trainees since 2010 with employers ranging from telecom industries to various government offices.
On the importance of ITIs, the Chief Minister said, “Technical and vocational skills training is an important aspect in skilling and empowering young people for the world of work”.
“Every year, about 50,000 youth join the workforce, keeping the numbers in mind we need to prepare a plan and strategy to be able to provide employment to these youngsters. We will introduce a policy that will empower and hone young people with one skill and one talent”, Sangma added.
Commending the efforts of the Department, the Chief Minister commented, “The Labour Department under Deputy Chief Minister has been working tirelessly to bring reforms in the sector”.
Encouraging the trainees present at the event, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “The Government has decided to increase the stipend for trainees of ITIs and other institutes. I urge the youth to not only wait for government jobs but get the necessary skills and explore possibilities in the private sector to open your own enterprises”.
