CCEA aproves project for vocational training

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval for implementation of the Rs 1581 crore project for 'Vocational Training Improvement,' which aims to improve the employment outcomes of graduates from vocational training system by making the design and delivery of training more demand responsive.

The project is to be implemented with assistance of the World Bank on a cost sharing basis. The cost sharing is on the basis of 75:25, except for the North East and Sikkim where the cost sharing ratio will be 90:10. The share of the Central government would be Rs 1,231 crores. The States'share will be Rs 30 crores.

Briefing newspersons on outcome of the CCEA meeting, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the project has three components. First, improving the Quality of Vocational Training. Secondly, promoting systematic reforms and innovation and thirdly, project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation.

Mr Chidambaram said 400 existing ITIs will be upgraded involving industry in all aspects of training from development of curriculum to trade testing.

He said the approval aims at empowerment of ITIs, greater flexibility, reforms in administrative procedures, better linkages with work requirement and conducting training programmes in emerging areas, apart from providing training to the trainers and undertaking the measures for sustainable development of vocational training in the country.

"This approach will bring significant improvement in internal and external efficiency of the ITIs, including employment situation of the certificate holders", he said.

UNI