Grading Report Highlights ITIs' Performance

• 07 Sep 2024

Source: BS

Why in News?

The latest grading report for Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has highlighted significant improvements in their performance, reflecting a positive trend in vocational education.

• This comes in the wake of the Union Budget 2024-2025, which plans to skill two million youths over the next five years and upgrade 1,000 ITIs in hub-and-spoke arrangements.

What are the Key Highlights of the Latest ITI Grading?

• Grading Methodology:
  • The grading uses a scale of 0-10 based on eight parameters, including admission rates, passing results, computer-based examination, and average marks obtained.
• Key Highlights:
  • Improved Grading Scores: 18.9% of the 15,000 ITIs graded in 2024 scored above 8 on a scale of 0-10, up from 12.4% in 2023. This increase indicates better overall performance among ITIs.
    • 142 ITIs received a grade of 9 and above for the academic year 2024-25.
  • Top States in ITI Grading: Among the top 25 ITIs, Uttar Pradesh had the most, followed by Odisha, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
    • The Government ITI for Girls (Andhra Pradesh), and the Government Industrial Training Institute (Odisha), scored the highest with a grade of 9.6 for the academic year 2024-25.

What are the Industrial Training Institutes?

• About: ITIs are training organisations in India that provide vocational education and training to students.
  • ITIs are under the administrative and financial control of state governments or union territories, with the Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the MSDE, focusing on national-level development and coordination.
  • DGT frames overall policies, norms, and standards for vocational training, ensuring consistency and quality across ITIs.
• Objectives: Develop skilled manpower for industries and enhance youth employability through practical training. Additionally, the focus is on encouraging self-employment by equipping students with the skills to start their own businesses.
• Initiatives to Promote ITIs:
  • Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): Offers training in 150 trades, including courses for persons with disabilities, through both government and private ITIs.
  • Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS): Provides on-the-job training to enhance practical skills and meet industry needs.
  • Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS): Trains instructors in effective teaching methods and hands-on skills.
  • Advanced Vocational Training Scheme (AVTS): Offers specialised courses to upgrade the skills of existing workers.
  • Model ITI scheme: Envisaged the upgradation of 35 selected government ITIs into Model ITIs with financial assistance of up to Rs. 10 crore per ITI for equipment upgradation and civil works. The scheme ended on 31st March 2024.
  • Enhancing Skill Development Infrastructure Scheme: Funds upgrades for 22 ITIs, infrastructure support for 28 ITIs, and establishment of 34 new ITIs in the North Eastern states.
  • Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE).

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements: (2018)

1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, and financial and digital literacy.
3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)