LABOUR MINISTER URGES INDUSTRY
TO HELP IN SETTING UP SKILLED WORKFORCE
1OOO
MORE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING INSTITUTES TO BE SET UP
The Labour Minister Dr. Sahib Singh has called
for industry’s participation in a big way in creating a skilled
workforce in the country. Presiding over the 34th Meeting
of the National Council for Vocational Training, NCVT, Dr. Sahib
Singh said that this is a colossal job which government alone
cannot accomplish. He said that we need a revolutionary change
in our approach to vocational training. He announced that 1000
Industrial Training Institutes, ITIs, would be set up all over
the country and invited suggestions from the states and the industry
for making training courses need based. The Labour Minister that
we can meet the challenges of globalisation only when we have
properly trained, skilled and efficient labour force. He regretted
the long delay in calling the meeting of the NCVT and said that
it would now meet regularly after each quarter to review vocational
training scenario. Dr. Sahib Singh urged the State Governments
to utilise the funds allocated by the Centre for vocational training.
He said 100 crore rupees have been allocated to North Eastern
states for this purpose.
Earlier addressing the meeting, the Minister
of State for Labour Shri Ashok Pradhan said that we are faced
with the challenge of not only providing gainful employment to
youth but also raising the living standard of one-third of about
400 million workers who are living below poverty level. He said
that their productivity and income levels are low because their
skill levels are very low. He said that the role of NCVT is very
crucial in reorientation of our training activities.
The Labour Secretary Dr. P.D. Shenoy, said that
the private sector participation has to come in a big way to meet
the skilled labour requirement of various industries. Referring
to the public private partnership, Dr. Shenoy said that industry-institute
linkages have so far been set up in 61 institutes in 10 states
which is necessary in imparting employable skills. He called upon
other states to have similar linkages.
The Labour Minister gave away Best Establishment
Awards under .Apprenticeship Training Programme to M/s MICO Ltd.,
Bangalore and M/s TELCO Ltd., Pune. M/s MICO Ltd. was awarded
President’s Silver Trophy and Certificate of Honour for retention
as best establishment for consequently six times. M/s TELCO Ltd.
was awarded President’s Running Silver Trophy and Certificate
of Honour for the Skill competition held this year. Dr. Sahib
Singh also awarded Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu each a Running Shield
and a Certificate of Merit as the best States for Craftsmen Training
Programme. Maharashtra was awarded for the year 1998-99 while
Tamil Nadu got it for 2000-01.
