Overhauling the ITI ecosystem

The paradox of India’s demographic dividend and the unemployability of a large number of trained youths in the industrial sector speaks volumes about the underutilization of the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the country. The ITI education matching the demand for labour force trained in skills required by industries is critical to bridge the gap. The NITI Aayog’s recent report, “Transforming Industrial Training Institutes,” brings to the fore that even after more than seven decades of establishment of ITIs in the country, the vocational training institutes failed to ensure a steady flow of skilled workers, which also slowed the pace of industrialization. The report highlights that of the total capacity of 25 lakh trainees, only 10.5 lakh seats are filled in about 14789 ITIs, while “placement rates portray an even more dismal picture of the ecosystem.” Contrary to the popular perception of private educational and training institutes having greater attraction for students, trainees, and parents, seat utilisation is higher in government ITIs as compared to private ITIs. Ironically, 78.4 percent of ITIs are private, which accounts for 62% of all seats, and 21.59% are government, which accounts for only 38% of seats. Seat utilisation in government ITIs is 56.74%, while it is 43% in private ITIs. This also demonstrates the hard fact that industrial training has not received the due attention from the government, both at the Center and in states, and that leaving its growth to the private sector did not meet the desired objectives. The detailed analysis of the ITI ecosystem in the report is a ready reckoner for policymakers, industries, and existing institutes, both government-run and private, to identify bottlenecks. The NITI Aayog has recommended a seven-pronged approach pertaining to changes in administration, curriculum, reporting, monitoring, resource mobilization, and other relevant sectors in its report, which is based on a study undertaken by the national think tank. Around 66% of the total ITIs are situated in five states: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, which says a lot about the skewed development of industrial training in the country. Farm mechanisation and rising input costs, coupled with a lack of remunerative prices, have reduced the capacity of the agriculture sector to absorb more labour. This has led to outmigration of several lakh of youth from farm families in industrially backward regions like Northeast in search of greener pastures in industrially advanced states for opportunities in industries as well as service sectors. The ITIs can play a crucial role in increasing the employability of this youth as a skilled workforce, but the majority of them migrating as unskilled workers point towards the deficiencies in the ecosystem. The NITI Aayog study finds that most popular trades in ITIs include Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, Welder, Motor Vehicle Mechanic, Draughtsman, etc., while there are some non-engineering trades such as Bamboo works, Baker and Confectioner, Corporate Housekeeping, Creche Management and Dress Making. Some of the problems grappling the ITI ecosystem identified in the report include failure to stick to the timetable while conducting trade-specific classes and laboratory training, and laboratory equipment in some ITIs remaining out of order. Limited financial power of ITI principals in government ITIs delays procurement of machines and instruments meeting industry requirement required for practical training. The interaction of the study team with principals also reveals that even after the signing of Memorandum of Understandings between ITI and industry, many industries are not delegating trainers on time, due to which instructors are not able to get training from the industry periodically. Besides, technical faults in machines procured from industry that are not repaired in a time-bound manner and sometimes get delayed for months also adversely affect training schedules. The NITI Aayog lays emphasis on the availability of quality, competent, and trained trainers for producing a workforce for the future. The government and industry collaborating to create a pool of trained trainers will go a long way towards improving the overall ecosystem and enhancing the employability of trainees. It recommends that ITIs require revamping and upgrading in line with the requirements of the changing world of work and re-look at courses and curriculum in terms of their relevance and quality, inculcate an entrepreneurial spirit in students, and establish long-term collaborations for industry exposure. Assam Cabinet’s recent decision to accord certified status to ITI diploma holders can be expected to increase enrolment but improving the overall ecosystem by removing the bottlenecks including overcoming the challenges of introduction of new curriculum and availability of modern laboratory equipped with later machines and instruments will be crucial to achieve the objectives of industrial training. Another key recommendation made in the report is putting in place appropriate tools, technologies, and infrastructure to transition to a digital or hybrid mode of learning and devising suitable strategies for outreach and advocacy on the employment prospects of ITI courses. A complete overhaul of the ITI ecosystem has become an urgent necessity.