Tura, Feb 27: The Meghalaya Government has announced that the state government will be raising the stipend for hundreds of youth who undergo training for various skills across the state Industrial Training Institutes and other technical centres.
A new block of the Industrial Training Institute in Tura aimed at improving infrastructure and providing more scope for training was inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday during which the announcement for enhancement of stipends was made.
Inaugurated the new block of the Industrial Training Institute, Tura funded by @ADB_HQ for ₹ 7.76 Cr. Technical & vocational skills training is a crucial aspect in skilling the youth for the world of work. A policy will be introduced to hone 1 skill & 1 talent in #Meghalaya. pic.twitter.com/QhXC2XWxXz
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 27, 2021
The new complex, coming at a cost of Rs. 7.76 Crore, will give a fill-up for the 265 youth currently undergoing training in various skills ranging from carpentry, motor vehicle repairing to becoming a skilled electrician.
It has been funded through the Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with a target to provide the Tura ITI with improved quality, delivery, and access to secondary and higher secondary (SHS) education and technical and vocational skills training in Tura.
“Technical and vocational skills training is an important aspect in skilling and empowering young people for the world of work,” reminded Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma as he addressed the young trainees at the inauguration of the new block.
“Every year, about 50,000 youth join the workforce and 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”, assured the Chief Minister.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told the gathering that the state government has decided to increase the stipend and take full opportunity of the trainings being provided to them.
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”.
With its operations since 1965, ITI Tura started with 3 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.
