Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant said that the concept of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) has undergone a change because of the emphasis on skilling, up-skilling and re-skilling and this has made this field of study very attractive to students because of the myriad opportunities available.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a function for the laying of foundation for Centres of Excellence Project under TATA Technologies at ITI Bicholim, Farmagudi, Vasco, Cacora and Mapusa.
The function was organized by the Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (DSDE) and held at ITI, Panaji.
Speaking further, the Chief Minister expressed happiness that all ITIs in Goa are ISO certified and said that this laying of foundation for Centres of Excellence in these ITIs is a golden day for ITI in Goa.
Dr Sawant said that the scope for ITI students is bright and the Government intends to make changes in the syllabus which will give equivalence to ITI studies to that of tenth and twelfth grades, for which a circular will be issued soon.
Secretary, DSDE, Prasad Lolayekar, IAS, said that the vision of the Chief Minister is to bring dignity to skill education and the foundation for these Centres was a big step to changing the mindset of people towards skill education in the positive direction. He said the Directorate was striving to get 100 % placement for ITIs and vertical mobility for students in ITI was another area which they are concentrating on.
Tata Technologies, South India Head, Prahant Handigund, said that the initiative is not just providing skilling for jobs but making young people entrepreneurs to become job providers.
Earlier, Director, DSDE, S.S. Gaonkar welcomed the gathering. Present on the occasion was chairperson, ITI, Panaji, Shri Gaurish Dhond, among others.
