How ITI Ambattur is making the youth industry-ready through quality technical education and training

Today, industry-relevant skilling and training are essential for students who aspire to build a successful career. Government ITI Ambattur is one of the key ITIs in Tamil Nadu, dedicated to prepare students for the future workplace by providing intensive training. In addition to delivering high-quality technical education and training, the ITI is raising awareness among female candidates to encourage them to join ITIs and pursue careers in the industry.

This interview is facilitated by Quest Alliance.

Team NSN spoke with Ms. Harini KP, Vice Principal, Government ITI Ambattur to learn more about the training and facilities they are providing to students and the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Below are a few excerpts from our conversation. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.

Q. Could you tell us about the popular courses and placement in ITI Ambattur?

A: ITI Ambattur is located near one of the world’s largest industrial areas. We have 30 popular courses which include advanced courses like Autobody Painting, Interior Designing and Decoration, Auto CAD, Surveyor among others. All the courses are industry-aligned and very unique. We provide relevant training and ensure the students’ employability after the completion of the courses.

Q. How is the response of the girls when it comes to the latest courses that are being offered? And how is ITI Ambattur contributing towards creating awareness among the girl candidates?

A: Female candidates are hesitant towards joining the ITIs. We try to encourage female candidates through various initiatives. Apart from that, there is about a 30 percent quota reservation for them which is not filled yet. We also have a few computer-oriented courses and government jobs in which women can take training and get placed. We at ITI, Ambattur are creating awareness among women to join ITI by visiting industrial estate which is completely owned by women.

Q. Please tell us more about your partnership with Quest Alliance

A: Quest Alliance is supporting us by interacting with students and staff about improving communication and employability skills and helping students in making them industry-ready.

Q. What are some of the achievements and distinctions awarded to your ITI?

A:  Our ITI has many achievements and our students are outperforming themselves in various state and national level competitions. One of our students in the carpenter trade was selected for the Regional level IndiaSkill competition and will be participating at the national level. One of our students in the fitter trade got first place in the national skill competition. We also encourage our students to work on their creativity. So, a few of our students have created projects from waste material.

Q. What are the types of IMCs you have and how does it work?

A: ITI Ambattur formed an Institute Management Committee (IMC) in which the members have regular meetings and interactions on its development. The industry chairman is the head and the ITI head is the secretary of the committee. We also send industry-related products to the industry. 

Maruti Suzuki is one of our industry partners who help in the development of ITI. We also follow Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and we are a part of the Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) project where they provide us with funds for the overall improvement of our ITI in terms of training and infrastructure.

Q. Please tell us more about your industry collaborations. What are some of the key areas where collaboration with industry has improved things? 

A: Maruti Suzuki is supporting the ITI in providing tools and equipment. Syllabus gets changed often in two years, so they provide tools which cost approximately 10 lakhs. They also allow our students for industrial visits which help us bridge the gap between the changing syllabus and the current trend. 

We mostly partner only with the industries from the Automotive sector. Apart from that, we have partnered with Ramco Industries Ltd. in the Construction sector. We are also collaborating with a few NGOs and MSMEs also are ready to support our ITI.

We follow the apprenticeship model and encourage students to apply for the apprenticeship and also organize Apprenticeship Mela in which 550 students have participated and 300 students got selected.

Q. How are you ensuring continuous learning in the present (Post-COVID-19) scenario through e-learning and blended learning? What are some of the challenges and how you are overcoming them?

A: ITIs mostly need practical-oriented training and it was indeed hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. We downloaded a few applications that support 3D training, so encouraged students to use such apps to work. Students faced difficulty in having smartphones, internet connections as they were economically challenged. So, we wrote materials and sent them through post or some of our members directly delivered to their homes.

Also read: How ITI Patan strives to empower students through industry-relevant technical training https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/how-iti-patan-strives-to-empower-students-through-industry-relevant-technical-training/

Q. Do you wish to share anything else with our readers?

A: I would like to see more female candidates on campus removing the stereotypical view that jobs like welding and electric sectors are only for men. Enrollment should be increased.