State to boost vocational training infrastructure

Kolkata: The state government is taking all necessary steps to ensure better infrastructure for vocational training after ironing out all problems caused by irregularities of the erstwhile Left Front government in recruiting trainers by flouting set norms.

The allegation of irregularities during the erstwhile Left Front regime has cropped up in the Assembly with the state Technical Education minister Purnendu Basu giving reply to a question related to recruitment of trainers in vocational training centres (VTC).

The VTCs had been operating since 2006 and there were around 20,000 teaching and non-teaching staff to run the 3,536 VTCs.

After coming to power in 2011, the present government found that there were many such VTCs which did not have any physical existence.

Finally, the number of VTCs has been brought down to 2,700. It was found that the trainers were recruited by flouting the set norms and a large section of them didn't even have the required qualification for the job.

The trainers didn't have the certificates of undergoing any training that is required for taking classes. However, none lost their jobs.

The state government is now organising special training sessions for trainers to help them learn updated components of the different subjects of vocational training.

Each part time trainer has been engaged in two VTCs and it has helped in increasing their remuneration.

The state government has carried out a survey and identified 700 VTCs, which will be developed as Advanced VTCs. These training centres have been identified for the purpose as attendance of students is comparatively much higher in these and there will be courses on electrical, home science, hotel management, etc.

The state government has also taken steps to introduce training on different aspects of the agriculture sector, for example soil testing. Such initiatives are helping in increasing the opportunities for job-oriented training.

Basically, students of class IX, X, XI and XII have been divided into four levels and accordingly, they can undergo vocational training. Someone who has cleared level four, can directly join ITI training in their second academic year. Steps have also been taken to develop the curriculum to meet national-level standards.