The centre has proposed the public-private partnership model to improve the quality of vocational training in the country to ensure better employability of the graduates.

The cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) today gave its in-principle approval for implementation of a central / centrally sponsored scheme, called, Upgradation of 1396 government ITIs through public-private partnership for the XI Plan period.

THE CCEA has approved teh implementation of the scheme for one year for the first batch of 300 ITI at a cost of Rs774.50 crore, of which, Rs750 crore will be used for the upgradation of the ITIs and the remaining Rs24.5 crore for management, monitoring and evaluation of the scheme.

Under the public-private partnership mode, for each ITI to be upgraded, an industry partner will be associated to lead the process of upgradation. The partners will be selected by state governments in consultation with industry associations. An Institute Management Committee (IMC) will be constituted for each selected ITI. The IMC will consist of following members:

" The industry partner or its representative would function as the chairperson
" Four members from local industry to be nominated by the industry partner
" Five members will be nominated by the state government
" The principal of the concerned ITI would function as the ex-officio member- secretary of the IMC

The industry partner will be involved in all aspects of training from development of curriculum to trade testing. Academic and financial autonomy given to the ITIs will improve their internal and external efficiency. The demand driven and improved quality of training will lead to better employability of ITI graduates.