CRAFTSMEN TRAINING

CRAFTSMEN TRAINING SCHEME IN ITIs – A GUIDING FEATURE

1) An initiative of Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment:
1.1.   The Directorate General of Employment & Training (DGE&T) in the Ministry of Labour, Government of India initiated Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) in 1950 by establishing about 50 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for imparting skills in various vocational trades to meet the skilled manpower requirements for technology and industrial growth of the country. The second major phase of increase in ITIs came with the oil-boom in West-Asia and export of skilled manpower to that region from India.   Several new private ITIs were established in 1980’s in southern states mostly in Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, etc. from where trained craftsmen found placement mainly in the Gulf countries.  In 1980, there were 831 ITIs and the number rose to 1887 ITIs in 1987.  During 1990’s, the growth of ITIs had been steep and presently there are over 4499 ITIs (1727 in Govt. & 2772 in Private Sector) having a seating capacity of 6.57 lakh.  Annexures-6.1 & 6.2 show the number of ITIs functioning in various States/UTs & their growth over the last about four decades. Annexure-6.3 shows the relative distribution of seating capacity in ITIs/ITCs  in Govt. and Private Sector as on 30th November, 2001. 

1.2.  Under the Constitution of India, Vocational Training is a concurrent subject both of Central and State Governments.  The development of training schemes at National level, evolution of policy, laying of training standards, procedures, conducting of trade tests, certification, etc. are the responsibility of the Central Government, whereas the implementation of the training schemes largely rests with the State/UT Governments.  The Central Govt. is advised by the National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT), a tripartite body having representatives from employers, workers and Central/State Governments. Similar Councils known as State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) are constituted for the same purpose by the respective State Governments at state levels.

1.3. OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME

• To ensure steady flow of skilled workers.
• To   raise  the  quality  and  quantity  of  industrial production by systematic training of potential workers
• To  reduce  unemployment  among   educated   youth   by  equipping them with suitable skills for industrial employment.

1.4. SALIENT FEATURES OF THE SCHEME

• Training is imparted in 43 engineering and 24 non-engineering trades (Annexure-6.4).
• The period of training for various trades varies from one year to three years and the entry qualification varies from 8th to 12th class pass, depending on the requirements of training in different trades.
• About 70% of the training period is allotted to practical training and the rest to subjects relating to Trade theory, Workshop Calculation & Science, Engineering Drawing, Social Studies including IT Primer I, environmental science & family welfare.
• Training in Govt. ITIs is generally provided free of cost. There is a provision to grant stipend and workshop uniform to all the trainees of Govt. ITI s. They are also provided with library, sports and medical facilities. Some State Governments levy a nominal fee.
• Seats are reserved for SC/ST candidates in proportion to their population in respective State/ UT. Guidelines for reserving 3% seats for Persons with disability and 25% for women candidates have been issued to State Governments and these could be filled based on the general reservation policy of each State/UT and total reservation is limited to 50%. Seats are also reserved for the wards of defence personnel.
• Broad-based modular training is offered in four Central Model Industrial Training Institutes (MITIs). This pattern of training has the advantage of re-orienting the training modules as per the changing skill requirements of the Industry.

1.5. STEPS FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

• With the objective of maintaining quality of training in ITIs/ITCs, a number of measures have been suggested by NCVT including guidelines for starting new institutes/trades and their affiliation to NCVT.
• Strict norms for affiliation of ITIs with NCVT are adhered to, ensuring that the infrastructure facilities, qualified staff, etc. are provided for imparting training.
• There is a procedure for evaluation of affiliated ITIs/ITCs which has a provision for de-affiliation of Institutes / trades that are found not complying with the prescribed norms.
• A total of 861 affiliation Inspection Reports were examined during the year 2001 and affiliations for those conforming to NCVT norms were granted. 
• Syllabi of various trades are periodically revised by the respective Trade Committees to keep pace with the rapidly changing technology in industry. The syllabus of 5 trades has been revised during last year and would come into force w.e.f. the session starting from August 2002.  
• A trade in emerging area of Information Technology namely “Information Technology & Electronics System Maintenance (ITESM)” has been introduced under the  “Craftsmen Training Scheme” .Thirty  three States / UT s have identified  hundred ITI s out of proposed 100 ITI s for introduction of the above trade after upgrading the facilities in the existing trade of Electronics Mechanic or Mechanic Radio & TV.

   Following action has been taken for conducting training programme effectively in above trade:

• Rs. 45 Lakh has been provided by Ministry of Information Technology (MIT) to Centre of Electronics Design & Technology of India ( CEDTI ) , Mohali to train a total of about 200 instructor @ 2 instructors per identified ITI. So for 179 instructors have been trained in four different batches.
• A list of additional equipment was finalized by DGE&T in consultation with MIT for updating the existing facilities in either of the related trades namely, Electronic Mechanic or Mechanic Radio & TV in the identified ITIs, to enable them to introduce the trade of IT&ESM.
• The specification of these equipment has been finalized by a Technical Committee under the Chairmanship of Professor IIT, Delhi comprising of technical experts from MIT, NIC & DGE&T.
• The contract to purchase the equipment and supply them to 100 identified ITIs has been awarded to NTPC by MIT.
  
  » In order to spread awareness about Information Technology,  IT Primer – I has been included in the subject “Social Studies” which is a compulsory subject for all the trainees under CTS /ATS.
  
  » Three multi-skilled trades viz., Mechanic Industrial Electronics, Mechanic Advanced Machine Tool Maintenance and Operator, Advanced Machine Tools have been introduced   under CTS. All the State Directors have been requested to introduce them in selected ITI s where CNC machines have been supplied under the recently completed Vocational Training Project (VTP) with World Bank Assistance.  The syllabus of these trades have been prepared & circulated to NCVT for their approval.
  
  » Montreal Protocol (MP) to which India is one of the signatories,  defines the measure that the signatory countries must take to limit and stop in phases , production and consumption of all Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)  including  Chloro Fluoro Carbons (CFCs) by 2010. To meet this guideline, most of the manufacturers of Refrigerators in India are now-a-days manufacturing refrigerators  using HC and HFC-134’A’ (Eco-friendly refrigerants)  instead of CFCs as refrigerants and remaining manufactures will also go eco-friendly technology.  In this regard, DGE&T has taken meaningful initiatives in association with Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC) and Human & Institutional Development for Ecological Refrigeration (HIDECOR)  such as revising  the syllabus of Mechanic Refrigeration & Airconditioning trade incorporating the component of Eco-friendly refrigerants under Craftsmen Training Scheme , training about 100 instructors of ITIs on Eco-friendly refrigerants and supplying  of training equipment. to  ATI Howrah and ITI Pusa.

1.6. CRAFTSMEN TRAINING SCHEME IN INSTITUTES UNDER DGE&T
Training is imparted under the CTS at the following institutes:

• Six Model Training Institutes  (MTIs) attached to the Advanced Training Institutes at Ludhiana, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Mumbai  & All-India TradeTests are conducted by the DGE&T, Ministry of Labour under the aegis of the National Council for Vocational Training in July (main) and January (supplementary) every year.
• The trainees of affiliated Institutes/ trades and eligible private candidates appear in the trade tests. National Trade Certificates are awarded to the successful candidates.
• National Trade Certificate is a recognised qualification for recruitment to relevant posts and services in Central/State Government establishments.
• The eligibility condition for private candidate for appearing in all India Trade Test for award of Certificate has been revised Kanpur and Central Training Institute for Instructors at Chennai.
• National Vocational Training Institute for Women at NOIDA, UP.
• Ten Regional Vocational Training Institutes (RVTIs)  for women at Mumbai, Bangalore,Tiruvananthapuram, Hissar, Calcutta, Tura, Indore, Allahabad, Vadodara and Jaipur.
• Four Model Industrial Training Institutes (MITIs) are imparting training on modular pattern in the following three specialised areas.  Modular Training has the advantage of easy re-orientation of the training as per changing need of industry.
  
  » Mechanical group of trades at Haldwani (U.P.) and  Chowdwar (Orissa)
  
  » Heat Engines group of trades at Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
  
  » Electrical & Electronics group of trades at Calicut (Kerala)

1.7. TRADE TESTING AND CERTIFICATION

• and the persons working in smaller organization not implementing the  Apprenticeship Training Scheme have now been covered. The desirous candidates should have minimum prescribed entry qualification and a minimum of five years experience in the relevant trade in establishment implementing Apprenticeship Training Scheme / small establishment  and shop covered under The Factories Act or registered with any Govt. / Local authority.
• A question bank for the “Social Studies” Subject was developed as per the revised curricula for use of trainees to enable them to appear in the trade test.
• Following Trade Test were conducted under the aegis of NCVT from April 2001 to Dec.2001
  
  » April 2001 -  All India Trade test of Craft instructors (Modular pattern)
  
  » May 2001 – Advanced Skill Course for Women Occupations
  
  » May, 2001 – All India Trade Test of  Apprentices
  
  » July, 2001 – All India Trade Test of Craftsmen
  
  » July, 2001 – All India Trade Test of Craft Instructors
  
  » August , 2001 – All India Test of Craftsmen (Restructured Pattern).
  
  » August , 2000 – All India Trade Test for Defence Service Personnel under “On-the-Job” Training Scheme.
  
  » September 2001 – 14th  Regional work skill  competition of CII. 
  
  » Oct.,2001 – Regional Competition for Apprentices
  
  » Nov.,2001 – All India Trade Test of Apprentices
  
  » December 2001 – All India Skill Competition for Craftsmen.
  
  » December 2001 – All India trade test for craftsmen (Special Test).
  
  » December 2001 – 14th CII National Work Skills Competition at FTI, Bangalore

1.8. ALL INDIA SKILL COMPETITION FOR CRAFTSMEN

• A scheme for holding All India Skills Competition for Craftsmen at national level was introduced in the year 1964 to foster healthy competition among the trainees of ITIs/ITCs.
• The competition is held every year in 10 trades viz. Instrument Mechanic, Electronics Mechanic, Welder, Fitter, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic (MV), Foundryman, Electrician and Cutting & Tailoring.
• The best trainee of each of the above trades at the State level competition compete at the All India Skills Competition.
• The best Craftsmen at the All India level are awarded merit certificates and a cash prize of Rs.10,000/- each.
• The best ITI declared in each trade, whose trainee stands first in the competition at the national level, is awarded a merit certificate. 
• The Best State whose trainees secure the highest total marks among all trades is awarded a merit certificate and a running shield.
• The  "Best State Award” winners during  last 5   competition .

Sl. No. Competition No. Year & Month in which held  Name of Best State/UT 1. 32nd  Dec.1995  Maharashtra 2. 33rd  Dec.1996   Tamil Nadu 3. 34th Jan.1998 Delhi 4. 35th Dec.1998 Maharashtra 5.  36th  Jan 2000

• The Confederation of Indian Industry  (CII) has been conducting "National Work Skills Competition” since 1989 to encourage workers in the engineering industry in India by recognition of excellence in skills and creating awareness among workers of the need for skill augmentation. The competition is held in 7 trades viz.    Electrician, Fitter, Industrial Electronics, Miller, Tool & Die Maker, Turner and Welder.  The Skills Competition is conducted in the field institutes of DGE&T and is recognised by Ministry of Labour.