Trained manpower availability in hospitality sector to go up

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) Seeking to meet the growing demand for trained manpower in the tourism sector, the Government today cleared a proposal to introduce hospitality education through IITs, Polytechnic Institutes, Government colleges, Universities, PSUs and vocational schools, besides strengthening the existing Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) and Food Crafts Institute.

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, today approved the proposal of the Tourism Ministry seeking to enlarge the scope of its existing scheme that provides for creation of institutional infrastructure necessary for hospitality and tourism specific education.

The present scheme covers strengthening of only the existing Institutes of Hotel Management and Food Craft Institutes and setting up of new ones. According to official estimates, the tourism industry requires about 203,000 trained persons annually. The supply as against this is just fractional, of about 12,000 persons from all the existing institutes in the country.

The decision to introduce hospitality education through ITIs, Polytechnic Institutes, Govt. colleges, Universities, PSUs. and vocational schools would be an important step in bridging the gap in demand and supply of manpower, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told mediapersons.

The cabinet approval for the new enlarged scheme entails a plan outlay of Rs 495 crores which is over three time the actual expenditure of Rs 147.2 crores during the tenth plan.

Under the enlarged dispensation, the Ministry of Tourism will fund ITIs, polytechnic institutes, government collages, universities and PSUs, to the extent of Rs 2 crores in each case, for starting hospitality courses.

The funds will be utilised for creation of infrastructure and purchase of equipment. The revised scheme will also provide funds, to the extent of Rs 25 lakhs, to each vocational school for starting similar course(s).

The Scheme, as approved now, provides for the setting up of 19 new State IHMs and 25 State Food Craft Institutes during the eleventh Plan.

To overcome the acute shortage of trained personnel at skill level, it has been stipulated that, the State IHMs would also conduct craft courses besides the Degree Course of 3 years.

The revised scheme emphasises the strengthening and upgradation of the existing Central and State IHMs, 28 in number.

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