PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announced an investment of Rs 180 crore to further strengthen Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the State, while also declaring that contractual teachers and instructors who have completed 10 years of service will be regularised on priority under the government's new policy.
Addressing a State level function on World Youth Skill Day, Sawant said Goa remained the only State in the country where all ITIs are ISO certified and stressed that the government was committed to transforming vocational education into a preferred career pathway.
"There is no shortage of talent or innovation. What we need is exposure. GCCI and other industrial bodies need to come forward to provide exposure to local talent and help them enter the export sector," the Chief Minister said.
Announcing the regularisation policy, he said, "there are many teachers and instructors who have been working on a contractual basis for the last 10 to 12 years. Under the new policy, those who have completed 10 years will be confirmed on top priority."
Sawant said the government had introduced major reforms in ITI education, including collaborations with colleges and the introduction of Goa Board equivalency certificates. Students completing Class X and a two-year ITI course will now receive an equivalency certificate recognising them as Class XII pass, eliminating the need for a separate board examination and enabling them to pursue higher education or better employment opportunities.
He added that several industries have tied up with ITIs for skilling, upskilling and reskilling programmes to improve students' employability and meet industry requirements.
