AP Govt will create 10 lakh jobs: Minister

Hyderabad, Dec 19 (UNI) Asserting that 10 lakh jobs would be created in the next two to three years under the Rajiv Udyogasree programme, Andhra Pradesh Technical Education Minister R Chenga Reddy today exhorted heads of technical institutions to utilise the opportunity provided by the high economic growth in the manufacturing sector.

The polytechnics and industrial training institutes in collaboration with the industries would design new short-term courses for funding by the Centre and the State under the 'Centre of Excellence'scheme, he said while inaugurating regional workshop on strengthening ITIs and polytechnics.

The manufacturing sector in the state was growing at the rate of nine to ten per cent. ''We should not miss the vast opportunity to generate additional jobs by providing appropriate training to youth,'' he said, adding that over 1.90 lakh youth were provided jobs under the Employment Generation Mission.

The only criterion for starting of new courses was to ensure meaningful training and immediate placement to the students, he added.

During the 11th plan period, the state would get Rs 56 crore for improving academics and infrastructure in the ITIs and polytechnics, he said, adding that refresher courses would be started for all staff, including principals of these technical institutions.

UNI