MAWKYRWAT, Feb 15: Amid a push to enhance skill training opportunities for youth and encourage enrolment in programmes that offer skill development in diverse fields, a high number of trainees dropping out of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state has drawn the concern of Labour Minister Shakliar Warjri
Warjri, the Minister in charge of Labour, Employment and Skill Development Department, on Thursday inaugurated the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Mawkyrwat at Sakwang village, 5 kilometres from Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills in the presence of local MLA Renikton L Tongkhar among others.
The minister, addressing the gathering, said he reviewed the ITIs in the state and was concerned over the high number of dropouts from the institutes.
“…the reason might be due to the distance of the training centres where they have to come and go every day,” Warjri said.
On this, he said that the government is planning to build hostels for students, particularly those from remote areas who encounter challenges in commuting from distant locations in order to encourage them to complete the courses.
The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Sakwang was constructed at a cost of Rs 7.48 crore under Enhancing Skill Development Initiative in Northeastern States and Sikkim Project.
Speaking on the occasion, Warjri expressed gratitude to the Dorbar Shnong of Sakwang village for donating the land for construction of the ITI. He emphasised that the establishment of this institute would greatly benefit the local youth as well as the entire district.
Warjri also said that the department is planning to establish more ITIs across the state.
“After the completion of training, the government will offer placement assistance to eligible students, supporting them in initiating their own ventures,” he said.
Warjri also informed that the ITI Mawkyrwat will offer five trades — Surface Embroidery Trade (SET), Wiremen, Office Assistant and Computer Programme (OA&CP), Multimedia Animation and Special Effects (MA&SE) and Driver cum Mechanic.
In his address, local MLA Renikton L Tongkhar expressed optimism that the institute would be a boon for the district, particularly the young individuals seeking to acquire knowledge and skills through its programmes. He also urged the gathering to utilise the institute’s resources effectively and appealed to the teaching faculty to exert effort and deliver their best to ensure that the available resources yield positive results.
The local MLA emphasised the significance of students receiving practical, hands-on training with the equipment and machinery to ensure they develop proficiency in their practical skills and are prepared for the tasks they will undertake in their employment.
He also remarked that providing youth with skills would not only reduce their reliance on government jobs, but also enable them to seek opportunities in private sector.
