Industrial training institutes to lure talent with higher stipends

Stipend at the state-run industrial training institutes (ITIs) is likely to go up significantly if the government manages to rope in industries to share the cost of the institutes.

A survey by the Union labour ministry brought to light ITIs do not attract enough talent as they have now become a source of cheap labour for companies.

In its recommendations, the survey report highlighted the “need for a cost-sharing mechanism of stipend between the government and establishments as in case of apprentices under MHRD”.

The report pointed out that ITI trainees are paid inadequate stipend and they often get only low-end jobs. It further said that ITIs and ITCs have become a source of cheap labour in the industry, which is making it unattractive among the youth.
Stressing the need for sharing the cost of getting new instruments in ITIs with the private sector, the report said: “Infrastructure must be upgraded and supplemented by private participation.”