Our aim is to create unique recognition for ITI courses: Narendra Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said he aims to create unique recognition for the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for the quality of education imparted by them.

"For this, ITIs will also have to teach soft-skills to the students, along with the technical skills, to shape their personalities," Modi said, at an event organised in Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

During the programme, Modi handed over appointment letters to around 2,477 candidates, for the post of supervisor instructors in different ITI's in Gujarat.

The State Employment Department had conducted an online test, which was taken by over 18,667 candidates, of which, 2,477 candidates were selected and given appointment letters today.

"Gujarat government has focused on imparting need-based skill development training to the youths, with a view to cater to the demands of industries here," Modi said, while addressing the gathering.

The government has made 2.5 lakh recruitments in different departments during the last decade. In the current year, it will make 60,000 recruitments based on merits, he said.

As per the directives of Gujarat government, passing a two-year ITI course after class-10 is considered equivalent to class-12, while passing it after class-8 is considered equivalent to class-10.

"The decision has opened doors of higher education for the ITI certificate holders," Modi said.

The state government has started around 300 skill development centres in the last two years, with a view to check unemployment in the rural areas.