ITI, Like Industry, In Neglect

The Principal of this Institute, Ravinder Kumar, commented, “Despite having conventional machines and instruments to impart training to the students, we produce a quality workforce that the industry requires. The success ratio of our students speaks for itself. This Institute is one of the oldest–since 1959–and biggest of its kind in Haryana, and has given many bright semi-skilled professionals who have made their name in their respective fields. Currently we impart training to the unskilled and unemployed youth in 22 trades. We have a total strength of around 1200 students here in this co-ed Institute; and we have another ITI for women just next to this campus. This whole campus is built on a mammoth 17.5 acres. Recently we have also started a Centre of Excellence in Auto-mobiles, in which we impart training to bright students on the functioning of diesel and petrol engines, along with other important aspects of automobile manufacturing.” Kumar has also served in the corporate world’s big firms like erstwhile Hero Honda for some time, before joining a government job.

ITIs may not be known for having students with great cerebral capability, yet they possess the capability to train and convert ‘ordinary’ material into something worthwhile. “The academic qualification prescribed varies from Class VIII pass to Class XII pass, depending upon the trade. All seats are reserved for Haryana State domicile candidates. As far as courses are concerned, all major engineering based courses are imparted to the students who have finished their matric; and non-engineering courses like stenography, computer operator etc. are given to Twelfth pass students,” added Kumar.

The majority of our students come from lower middle class families. Unfortunately, the parents of most of them can’t afford to fund their children’s education in good schools, which results in the students’ poor academic record; and by the time he or she reaches Matric, the parents decide that ITI is perhaps the best option. Here at least the student can learn professional work, which would make him/her self-dependent within a couple of years. We have exceptions too; there are some with a bright and sharp mind, and they grasp things very quickly. Some of our old students have now become owners of small firms, and many others are working in big firms like Maruti and Honda on good salaries,” informed Kumar.

The Popular Courses

“I believe all the courses are good as far as employability is concerned; but there are some which are taken up very fast – Draftsman Mechanical, Draftsman Civil, Electrician, Electronic, Mechanical, Machinist, Machinist Grinder, and Fitter,” said Satish Kumar Dahiya, a member of the faculty. Gurgaon ITI has 77 members in its faculty, along with 24 others who function as support staff.

Employment Prospects

The success of an institute depends on the employability of its students. “Of course employment is the most important aspect, and this is the main reason why students from weaker social and financial backgrounds opt for ITI. We organise two job fairs here on the campus. Companies like Ashok Leyland, Maruti, Hero, Sona Koyo, Pearl Global, JBML etc. come here to recruit students for jobs or internship. Most of our students are good, and they get a job here at the campus itself. However, since we have a large number of students, and companies that come here are limited, 100 per cent placement doesn’t happen. Under the Apprenticeship Training Scheme, our students get an opportunity to work in big companies, with today’s modern machines. It provides students with good exposure. More than 50 per cent of our students get absorbed during this internship. Companies give a stipend to our students. As far as the salary for a permanent job is concerned, the average package remains between Rs 6 to 9 thousand per month. We have some exceptional students as well, who get more than Rs. 15,000,” informed Kumar. “We are here to learn the craft of making tools, and this is one of the main reasons why I have joined ITI. My family is not very rich, and can’t afford my ‘normal’ education. Here, after spending two odd years, I would be able to make money for my family. Most probably I will get a job in some company; and even if I don’t get one, I can start my own work,” said Amit Kumar, a student of the Machinist Grinder trade.

‘Old’ Infrastructure

Despite being in the heart of an industrial city, the Gurgaon ITI is old and conventional – not only in terms of the building and other concrete infrastructure, but also in the mechanism of imparting training. “Yes, It’s worrisome, but let me tell you that these machines are necessary to teach the basics to a student. Here we want students to learn from mistakes, and learn the craft of making a tool. Once he attains mastery here on these machines, he can easily prove himself in the outer world. Most of our students won’t get jobs in big companies; they will have to work in ancillaries run by local people. In smaller companies the conventional machines are still very relevant. We give them a basic knowledge of the working of modern machines,” said Ramniwas Yadav, another senior member of the faculty.

PPP: a hope for revamp

“Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) is perhaps a good way to revamp such institutions, which are extremely important for the supply of workforce to the industry. The State doesn’t run industries anymore. Since private industry is the customer, it is in its interest to partner with such institutions. Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) is associated with us for a long time now. The Centre of Excellence in Automobiles has been made by them on a PPP model.  MSIL has deputed a dedicated team, headed by a Deputy General Manager (an engineer himself), to work on the ITI up-gradation Project. The team works in close co-ordination with the ITI administration to provide a good learning environment for holistic training, and the overall development of the trainees. Apart from MSIL, other prominent industries like Sona Koyo, Pearl Global, Hero Motocorp, and JBML are contributing to ITI, and give opportunities for ITI trainees to undergo practical shop floor training. Trainees experience good practices like 5-S and team-work in operation. This motivates them to implement the same at the ITI campus. The change has started showing up all across - in the form of improved infrastructure, a motivated faculty and enthusiastic trainees,” added Kumar, while showing the training being imparted to students in the various workshops. Gurgaon, Yamunanagar and Rohtak each have one ITI, based on the PPP model.

ITIs in Haryana

At present Haryana has a total of 131 government ITIs, offering 39,168 seats for various courses or trades. There is also a network of 94 ITIs (private), with 14,416 seats in different trades. 

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