Abied Hussain Kakpori, Superintendent, ITI Leh:  The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Leh was established in the year 1985. It conducts vocational training courses under embed of Director of Technical Education. There is a scheme of Government of India in which 1,396 government ITI are registered under public-private partners project, ITI Leh was covered under it in the year 2011.

 

In this, we have Institute Management Committee society which comprises members from both government and private organisations. 

 

The main motive behind maintaining the society is to adopt best practices from both the fields. Under the scheme, every ITI is given an industry partner. The industry partner of ITI Leh is National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Nimoo-Basgo. The Chief Engineer of NHPC is the chairman of the institute. 

 

An interest-free loan of 2.5 crores was sanctioned in 2011 for the upgradation of ITI.  The fund is to be used for the startup of new course. We have to make proper Institution Development plan in which we have to introduce new trade. 

 

This year 9 trades will be introduced and soon it will be advertised for the admission. The intake capacity will be 210 seats. As per last year’s admission, there are 148 students in the institute. The electronic-mechanical is a redesigned course which was earlier known as Radio TV trades.

  

The instructor for the same was sent for training and the response of the students was less towards the course. 

 

In each trade there is a different intake capacity for e.g. in stenography trade, a total of 21 students are in the class. The total capacity is 26 out of which 20 seats are made free and one seat is reserved under ministerial quota. The remaining seats are the paid seats. 

 

The 20 free seats are designed to pay nominal fees of ₹400 for the entire course whereas, 3,000 to 4,000 are for the remaining seats. The fees structure varies as per courses.

 

The welder trade was not functional for 4 years but the machines for the same are available. Though the students show less interest in this trade still we are re-introducing it this year. If no response is found then we will remove and replace it with a new trade. In future, we are planning to introduce cosmetology and civil craftsmen. 

 

The ITI concept is to invite people of 14 to 40 years to learn the skill. The institute does not promise to give placement in the government job but one can be an entrepreneur.

 

The government is working on clubbing vocational and formal education.  And proposing a scheme in which two years course is taken in ITI after 10th standard will be equal to 11th and 12th standard. 

 

In our society, there is a concept that a student whose performance is not up to mark has an option to take admission in ITI. On the other hand, students take up courses in ITI for the future scope in the government job. The mindset of society needs to be changed and the students should not rely only on government jobs. One must not be a job seeker rather becomes a job provider.

 

The focus is less on ITI institute and we will reach out to the masses for the right information.

 

 

The dropout rate in ITI Leh is because of many factors; the student is accountable for their presence in the institute and has to attend classes regularly. In Leh, the maximum of the students in ITI belongs to a humble background and they take the job security along with courses, many are involved with the tourism. 

 

The main issue in the entire J&K is that the admission is taken on the merit of 10th standard. A student can apply after 8th and 10th standard.  Many students fill the form on the basis of merit and at the time of admission, many do not join. There is no rule to make another registration because the courses are directly affiliated to Ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship.

 

There is a proper all India trade test, National Council of vocational training. Students are registered in a particular time slot after which the registration is closed. Students with keen interest and deserving missed out the admission whereas the masses who fill the form for the sake of filling get the admission.  Later, due to lack of interest, they leave the course in the mid-session which causes hindrances and dropout rates in the institution. 

 

 

There is an urgent need for a library in the institute and books are not sufficient. This year,  books for all the trades will be procured within two months. Center scheme is in the mode of finalizing. In the beginning, the dropouts believed that ITI is the only option but today ITI is emerging as a career option for some people. 

 

Due to financial constraint, exposure trip outside the state is not possible. But the institute is contributing in many other ways. In June or July, the stenography students will be deputed in the government office for the job training.  Likewise, engineering students will be deputed in NHPC and others in the respective fields.

 

The major funding is done through the district administration. In future, we are planning to make it a premier institute. There is a room for improvement such as the incomplete hostel. Students of the institute get a one-time scholarship of ₹ 3500 for the entire session under Corporate Social Responsibility funding provided by NHPC.  The scholarship will be on the merit basis and a test is conducted biannually. 

 

 

•    Infrastructure needs to be improved.

•    Seminar on vocational training needs to be conducted in schools and colleges. 

•     Exposure trip outside the state.

•    The mindset of the people needs to be changed.

 

Dorjay Motup, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Leh: In Ladakh, we have many students who are pursuing their education and everybody expects a good job after their studies. But unfortunately, many students with fewer score fail to get a good job.

 

Apart from regular academics, students have options for vocational training and Polytechnic College with three years course for engineering, computers, tour and travels and other courses. Students have the facilities if they want to avail with a proper mindset.

 

Students after their 10th standard can join ITI and explore various fields. Once they complete the session they will be skilled in the chosen field. Today, skilled labour from different states come and earns a huge income as electrician, plumber, carpenter, painter and many more.  But people of Ladakh are reluctant in doing the same job. 

 

Earning opportunities in these sectors are increasing every year. Students should think about future benefits and take the courses seriously. If the student masters in one skill, he/she will get job opportunities even outside Ladakh and can earn handsome amount. 

 

There is a need for change in the attitude towards learning such skills.  There are students who joined ITI holding graduate and master degree. Though the number of enrolled students is less in the institute those who are pursuing the course are doing best.

 

Apart from ITI, the students can even reach out to the handicraft and handloom sector. The value of traditional things has a huge impact on the market but, unfortunately, there is less initiative. Getting a job should not only be an ultimate goal instead one should think of becoming an entrepreneur. 

 

Yes, I would not deny the fact that the polytechnic college and Industrial Training Institute Leh have not achieved the level that it should have been. There is less participation of the students and most of the enrolled students look for alternatives along with the course. Moreover, there is no compulsion for the students to come and we cannot forcefully retain the students due to which students leave the course in the mid-session. 

 

The dropout rate is generally observed a month after the admission.

 

 

There are no library facilities and is needed in the institute with other facilities and the required assets will be made available to the students. The hostel of ITI is still under process due to lack of funds. The authorities are trying their level best to incorporate the facilities. 

 

 

•    There is a need for more financial support to the students studying in the ITI in the form of scholarship so that the students with less financial support can also come and take the opportunity.

•    Students who take admission in ITI should be determined and stay focused.

•    Students should not drop the course in the mid-session.

•    Cooperation needed at all levels to make the institute a better place for learning.

•    Teachers need to be equally dedicated. 

•    Facilities need to be improved.