There is a big demand for skilled manpower in the country and the requirement may be 20 lakhs or even more by 2020, said S.Sangappillai, Principal, Seshasayee Institute of Technology, here on Friday.
Speaking at the inauguration of skill training programme for rural unemployed youth, organised by Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation and Directorate of Technical Education, Chennai, he said there are hundreds of engineering colleges and polytechnic colleges but only a very few Industrial Training Institutes to impart skills. Demand for skilled persons is more and keeping this in view, the government has started the training programme.
Seshasayee Institute of Technology is one among 10 polytechnic colleges in the State selected for giving skill training. Three months training in CNC operation and air conditioning mechanism for a batch of 20 started on Friday. N. Kanagasababathi, Managing Director, R. K. Metal, and Vice-President, Tiruchi District Small Scale Industries Association, inaugurated the training programme.
He said skilled persons are the most sought after persons as there is a great demand for them. Those who acquire air conditioning and refrigeration skills can establish their own shops instead of searching for jobs.
K. Vijayakumar, training co-ordinator, said the training is given to youth free of cost. They are provided a stipend of Rs. 1,500 a month. Certificates will be given to them at the end of the course. “The idea is to meet the demand of nearly 20 lakh skilled manpower by 2020,” he added.
T. Muthamilselvan, Manager, Canada-India Combined Project, SIT, welcomed the gathering. B.Sinthanai Selvan, NSS Programme Officer, SIT, proposed a vote of thanks.
