Margao ITI at 50: Powering careers through skill-based education

The government industrial training institutes across Goa are instrumental in diverting meritorious students with promising careers towards various trades and training courses that can transform their lives. Giving utmost priority to the students’ welfare, the Margao Government Industrial Training Institute (Margao ITI) that completed 50 years this year, on January 1, 2024, has come up with different scholarships, facilities and services making their progress smooth and easy.

“We are so happy that Margao Government ITI is successfully completing 50 years. Founded in 1975, the institute has grown rapidly since then. Centrally located in Margao, the commercial hub of Goa, we are close to three industrial estates at Cuncolim, Margao and Verna and there are eight talukas coming in its vicinity,” explains Ravikiran Damu Pawaskar, principal, Margao ITI.

Over the years this ITI has crossed many milestones and whether in academics, sports or cultural activities, it has always been in the limelight. It was honoured as the Best ITI in India by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, New Delhi in 2018 and the project prepared by the cutting and sewing trainees were awarded as the best project. Instructor Sapna Poi Anglo was awarded with Kaushal Acharya Award by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, New Delhi in 2021.

A fashion show was showcased by the staff of Margao ITI on the theme ‘Wealth out of waste’ at the Kala Srujanotsav in 2018 and bagged the first prize. In the SVEEP activities conducted by South Goa Election Branch, Margao ITI bagged the first prize in Akash Kandil competition held in 2023 and Pot Painting in 2024, in the Futsal Match, Margao ITI won the runner ups trophy. “Our ITI is also awarded with ISO Certification 21001: 2018 and has a grading of 7.8,”explains the principal.

Having skilled countless trainees over the past five decades, many of the ITI graduates have pursued their studies further and professionally doing well in the private as well as government sector of which many are working in different ITIs. Some of our passed out ITI graduates are successful entrepreneurs too. “We take immense pleasure for skilling them,” adds the proud principal.

With the initiative of the vibrant and supportive Institute Management Committee (IMC) and its chairman, IFB-Verna has sponsored two air conditioners to set up the RAC workshop.

“Currently we have 17 different skilled courses running at the ITI of which six are engineering and 11 are non-engineering trades. We follow a meticulously created syllabus designed by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) which acts as an overarching regulatory body for vocational education and training in India. We come under the purview of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, New Delhi. In Goa, we fall under the Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship which frames the certification courses for State Council of Vocational Training. All our courses are either of State or National level,” briefs Pawaskar.

The Margao ITI boasts of well-equipped workshops and well-experienced instructors – all of who have undergone CITS/RPL training. As Margao is close to the coastal belt there is a huge demand from the hotel industry. The ITI offers five skilled courses in the hospitality sector and three of these have Dual System of Training (DST). The ITI has signed MOUs with Beleza by the Beach, Taj Exotica, Joecons Beach Resort, The Leela Goa and Holiday Inn Resort to train the trainees under DST.

Last year, in a competition held by IGNITE a project prepared by the Mechanical Electronics trade bagged the first prize at South Goa ITI level. They also were awarded the first prize at Parvatibai Chowgule College, Margao at College level.

Many students from the vicinity schools visit the ITI to enhance skill education. Every year an open school day is conducted on World Youth Skills Day wherein different schools are invited to visit the institute. Every year a blood donation camp is held at the premises where the staff and trainees donate blood. Many health camps are also organised for the students. A breast cancer detection camp for women under ‘Swacch Mahila, Swacch Goa’, an initiative of Yuvraj Singh Foundation by Health Centre, Margao was also held.

Besides this, under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY), the ITI has trained numerous unemployed youth and adults in Domestic Data Entry Operator, Pedicure & Manicurist, Hand Embroiderer and Plumber. Under the flagship scheme of PM Vishwakarma many Goan artisans are trained under various skills. Margao Govt ITI has opted for the Darzi sector and skilled many tailors under this scheme. Under the Chief Minister's Kaushalya Path Scheme (CMKPS) for Skilling, re-Skilling & up Skilling of youth several youth from Government College of Commerce & Economics, Borda have been freely trained for Basic Computer Course, Basic Beautician and Basic Electrician.

A one week workshop in Computer Operating Technology and Basic Sewing Technology was conducted for PwD students of Gujarati Samaj Educational Trust, Margao in collaboration with DSDE, Panaji. On completion of the workshop the students were awarded participation certificates along with painting and stitching kits. Under Sankalp scheme two week courses were conducted in Basic Food Production, Basic Sewing Technology and Basic Beautician to enhance the participation of women beneficiaries.

Tailor-made courses are also designed for employees of various government sectors like the Konkan Railway, DSDE to upgrade their skills. “We are shortly going to start Smartphone Repair technician course under the CMKPS scheme. We are also planning to start new age courses under AI. There are ongoing plans for new ITI building so that more new age courses can be started. The proposal of new premises for Margao Government ITI is under process,” discloses principal Pawaskar.