MSDE, NSDC and NTTF launch the Training of Trainers (ToT) program

NSDC and SANKALP under SkillIndia have partnered with Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) for the Training of Trainers (ToT) program to develop a pool of competent trainers and equip them with knowledge in market-relevant skills.

The World Bank funded program was inaugurated on 28th June 2022 at NTTF’s Electronics City Campus. The event was graced by the presence of Mr Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE); Mr Sandesh Tilekar, Director, SANKALP, MSDE; Ms Preeti Arora, Sr. Head Digital Skilling Solution, NSDC.

Training of Trainers (ToT) program launch event walkthrough

The program started with the ceremonial lamp lighting and invocation followed by a welcome address by Mr B V Sudharshan, Dy. Managing Director, NTTF.

Mr Sandesh Tilekar, Director, SANKALP, MSDE briefed about the ToT memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NTTF. He said that the aim is to train around 1800 trainers and teachers who will go through various theory and on-the-job training (OJT) modules over a period of six months duration. Besides this, 275 graduates would undergo upskilling program leading to PG Diploma. SANKALP, NTTF and all other industries have come forward to implement this program to develop the best of the best trainers, he added.

The MoU was exchanged between Dr. N Reguraj, Managing Director, NTTF and Ms Preeti Arora, Sr. Head Digital Skilling Solution, NSDC.

Ms Preeti Arora, Sr. Head Digital Skilling Solution, NSDC in her address said, “skilling of trainers is so much important now because the shelf life of our skills in our changing technology has reduced. Technological disruptions are causing not just of candidates have to be enabled to the skills of tomorrow but the trainers who have to skill them need to be updated periodically”. She explained the importance of up-skilling and reskilling trainers in the current paradigm. She also explained the courses covered are from manufacturing to automobile technology to IT. The ToT program imparts various skills such as ICT and technical skills along with pedagogy skills the trainers can acquire through this program. The SANKALP program is a very pertinent step in the training of trainers and NSDC has come forward to support NTTF in this initiative of MSDE.

Dr. N Reguraj, Managing Director of NTTF, said, “Training of trainers is normally forgotten in many schemes. Of course, the government has different training schemes, rolling out programs of different size, different requirements, but the training of trainers was not the main objective”. He congratulated SANKALP and MSDE for identifying and awarding this program to NTTF, although they had all other options across India to execute this ToT program. It is a great honour to NTTF to execute this program of GoI, he said.

Mr Rajesh Aggarwal, IAS, Secretary, MSDE, the Guest of Honour, in his speech said that he had visited several private and government technical and skill institutes across India. However, the NTTF’s latest infrastructure and the proven training methodologies are par excellent. The projects done by NTTF trainees are commendable. MSDE is very happy to associate with NTTF for the ToT program. Engineering students are nowadays not fully industry-ready. Industries are employing them as fresh engineers and retraining them for six months prior to deploying them on the job. Although the curriculum is updated with industry, the speed of technological changes happens very fast. Manufacturing basics such as electrical, plumbing, welding, wiring, electronics etc., won’t change often. But tools and machines change frequently”.

“Now we have 5000 courses with 37 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs). However, we have not fully focused on teachers’ training till now. Teachers are the fulcrum of training and education system”, he quoted. He highlighted the importance of empowering women to get into the manufacturing sector in all roles. There should be a good ratio of gender diversity across all functions. Periodic skills training is essential for all these trainers”, he stated.

He also highlighted the importance of starting many short term courses for up-skilling existing staffs of ITI. “The CSR funds from industries especially the MSME can be utilised for up-skilling. Workers working for 10 years 20 years with good workmanship and don’t have skilling of any kind. The whole system requires good trainers, robust training system, good assessors, and good assessment system. There is a huge shortage of teachers and assessors. Assessment methodology and creating assessors are the important areas MSDE and NTTF can work together”, Mr Rajesh Aggarwal concluded.

Mr Avinash, one of the trainers from the pilot batch of 33 graduate engineer trainees, shared about the ToT program which is expected to shape their careers.

If you wish to know more about NTTF courses, please visit our NTTF dedicated page on our website.

Mr R Rajagopalan, Joint Managing Director, NTTF delivered the vote of thanks. The ceremony ended with the singing of the National anthem.

This Training of Trainers (ToT) program, in a nutshell, aims at empowering trainers and teachers in addition to solid theoretical knowledge focuses on the topics of conception, presentation, visualization, methodology, moderation, and much more. The objective is primarily to prepare future trainers for their productive lives, endowing them with the core skills that enable them in reinforcing learning.

This training program would be beneficial in helping create a nationally and globally valuable skill force.