CRAFTSMEN TRAINING SCHEME
The craftsmen training scheme (henceforth known as CTS) was initiated by the Government of India in 1950 under the Directorate General of Training in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Under the initiative the government established 50 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) whose sole purpose was to impart skills in various vocational trades to meet the skilled manpower requirements for the technology and industrial growth of our country. By the end of 1987, there were 1900 ITIs in number have been established in the country.
The training is provided in 70 engineering trades and 63 non-engineering trades. The respective states and UTs or private organizations look after the function and the administrative control of the ITIs. The curriculum is divided so that about seventy percent of the training time will be allotted to practical work and the rest is dedicated to theory which also includes environmental science and family welfare among others. This training is provided at a nominal fee along with library support and sports and medical facilities. The syllabi relating to the various trades taught are periodically revised to keep pace with the changing trends and changes in technology.
There is reservation of seats for SC/ST, OBCs, differentially abled and women candidates. Anybody can apply for the scheme, the only requirement being that the minimum age for admission is 14 years; which is also the legal age according to our Constitution for work. There is a requirement of academic qualification that depends upon the trade, varying from class VIII pass to class XII pass. As per the recommendation of the NCVT, the selection of candidates to be enrolled in a trade in ITI is to made on merit or on the marks secured in written examination as per the minimum qualification prescribed for the trade in the public examination. The admission fee is Rs.50.
The Quality Council of India starting from early 2012 looks after the inspection of work and accreditation of the ITIs. The reports which are received are processed at the headquarters of The Directorate General of Training. The same is put up before the sub-committee of NCVT for the grant of affiliation.
In September 2017, Maruti Suzuki became the first NCVT certificates under this initiative. These certificates were provided to those students who have successfully completed the two-year-long training program offered by the company in the course of Automotive manufacturing and Automotive service and repair. the courses were offered as a result of a Flexi MoU signed between the company and the Directorate General of Training. According to which, the company offers a two-year and one-year craftsmen training programme to create a pool of skilled manpower labor which is ready to be absorbed in the automobile industry.
The CTS is a wonderful initiative which is bound to help the unskilled labors of India to transform and be absorbed in the employment market once they have acquired the requisite skill set. There has been an significant increase in the demand for skilled labor especially, after the Make in India initiative, and the courses provided under CTS are efficient, time saving and fruitful. The rate of unemployed unskilled labors is bound to decrease as more and more people learn about CTS and get enrolled in the nearest ITI. The Government of India has tried its best when it came up with this initiative as it caters to the unskilled group without differentiating between the urban and rural aspects which at times became a hinderance when it comes to employment opportunities.
Further information about CTS could be gathered from the accompanying link:http://dget.nic.in/content/innerpage/overview-cts.php
By- Bhanu Priya Bhati
Student Reporter INBA