A novel method has been suggested to turn the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into employment generators. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has submitted a proposal for the use of the public private partnership (PPP) model to transform 42 ITIs across 13 states in the country. According to sources, FICCI has already sent a list of these 42 ITIs, which would be developed as Centres for Excellence (CFEs), to the Union labour ministry.

To convince the state governments of the potential of the scheme, the labour and employment secretary held a video-conference with state government principal secretaries today to discuss various issues related to this plan for conversion of ITIs into industry-driven training centres.

If the model works, the government would upgrade 1,396 more ITIs (out of a total of 1,896 government ITIs) over the next five years. Apollo Tyres, Wockhardt, JK Papers, Godfrey Philips and Fortis are some of the FICCI member companies that have agreed to manage these CFEs. Under the PPP model, there will be a triangular relationship between FICCI members, the Central government and the state government labour departments (under which the ITIs now function).

The union government would give financial aid of Rs 2.5 crore for each CFE. The private player would run and take decisions on modification of curriculum, in accordance with the current industry requirements, with 40 per cent shop floor training. State government labour departments would act as facilitators.

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