Despite offering numerous freebies and job placements, Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Coimbatore district face challenges in achieving 100 percent enrollment. The admission process for 2024 is ongoing with extensions to fill vacant seats.
Coimbatore: Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Coimbatore district are grappling with the challenge of achieving full enrollment, despite offering a plethora of incentives to students. The freebies include free education, bus passes, monthly financial assistance, uniforms, books, footwear, drawing kits, and bicycles. Additionally, ITIs ensure job placements through campus interviews.
The admission process for the 2024 enrollment began in May and was initially scheduled to end in June. However, due to vacant seats, two extensions were granted in July, and the process is now in its second fortnightly extension phase in August.
ITI courses are open to students who have completed Class VIII or X, with an upper age limit of 40 years for men and no age restriction for women. Principals of ITIs believe that there is a lack of awareness among school students about the opportunities for higher education that ITI courses offer. Many students are unaware that completing a two-year ITI course is equivalent to passing Class XII and that they can secure lateral entry admission in polytechnics.
Amaravathy, Principal of the Government Industrial Training Institute for tribal students at Anaikatti, reported that even after all extensions, only about 80% of their 124 seats get filled. Nearly 30 seats remain vacant in Motor Mechanic, Electrician, and Fitter programmes.
On a positive note, there has been an increase in enrollment among middle-aged women, particularly in sewing courses. "In most cases, the women are mothers of their enrolled wards," Ms. Amaravathy added.
Justin Jebaraj, Principal of Government Industrial Training for Women in Coimbatore, stated that out of their intake of 304 students, 68 seats are yet to be filled. He suggested that vacancies would cease to exist if industries in the region incentivized ITI education by offering higher emoluments for skill-based jobs.
A silver lining for ITIs is that heads of government high schools, who were previously reluctant to create awareness about ITI education among Class X students, are now cooperating following instructions from the district administration.
The situation is a stark contrast to six or seven years ago when applicants far outnumbered the available seats. ITIs are hopeful that increased awareness and industry support will help boost enrollment in the coming years.
The admission process for the 2024 enrollment began in May and was initially scheduled to end in June. However, due to vacant seats, two extensions were granted in July, and the process is now in its second fortnightly extension phase in August.
ITI courses are open to students who have completed Class VIII or X, with an upper age limit of 40 years for men and no age restriction for women. Principals of ITIs believe that there is a lack of awareness among school students about the opportunities for higher education that ITI courses offer. Many students are unaware that completing a two-year ITI course is equivalent to passing Class XII and that they can secure lateral entry admission in polytechnics.
Amaravathy, Principal of the Government Industrial Training Institute for tribal students at Anaikatti, reported that even after all extensions, only about 80% of their 124 seats get filled. Nearly 30 seats remain vacant in Motor Mechanic, Electrician, and Fitter programmes.
On a positive note, there has been an increase in enrollment among middle-aged women, particularly in sewing courses. "In most cases, the women are mothers of their enrolled wards," Ms. Amaravathy added.
Justin Jebaraj, Principal of Government Industrial Training for Women in Coimbatore, stated that out of their intake of 304 students, 68 seats are yet to be filled. He suggested that vacancies would cease to exist if industries in the region incentivized ITI education by offering higher emoluments for skill-based jobs.
A silver lining for ITIs is that heads of government high schools, who were previously reluctant to create awareness about ITI education among Class X students, are now cooperating following instructions from the district administration.
The situation is a stark contrast to six or seven years ago when applicants far outnumbered the available seats. ITIs are hopeful that increased awareness and industry support will help boost enrollment in the coming years.