Govt to provide counselling for ‘stressed’ ITI trainees

PANAJI
With a sizeable number of trainees at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) walking out of the training mid-way, the government is now looking at counselling the ‘emotionally and psychologically stressed’ young minds, most of whom hail from socio-economically weaker sections.

Minimal trainees are reportedly affecting the smooth functioning of government-run institutes.

Titled “Scheme for Providing Counselling to the Trainees in all Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITl’s) under Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship'', the government claims expert counsellors – appointed on a 12-month contract – will address various arrays of concerns among the trainees.

“Lack of counselling to trainees of Government ITIs has become a reason for many young trainees to become victims to disrupt their career and personal lives. Most of these trainees come from the weaker section of society having socio-economic challenges. The Government of Goa therefore with thoughtful concern endeavours to take due care and as an immediate response desires to engage expert counsellors to help them cope up with the emotional and psychological stress,” the notification reads. Ten ITIs pan-Goa imparts training in Engineering and Non-engineering trades to approx 5,000 trainees in a year.

The government has allowed the hiring of five counsellors, one supervisor and a data entry operator. The Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship will pay the remuneration of the counsellors, supervisor and data entry operator from the funds provided by State Government or by the Government of India through any Centrally Sponsored Schemes, to the tune of Rs 28,000, Rs 35,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively.

As per the notification, the counsellors will discuss and assist the trainees in stress management, adjusting to ITI environment, life transition and changes and also help them in case of difficulties in family relationship, depression, anxiety, anger, any form of abuse or other emotions that cause discomfort.

The Department will be constituting a committee to hold walk-in interviews for these posts and is granted government permission to renew the contract, if required, strictly based on the performance of the contractual staff through the committee.