Giving impetus to the ‘Skilled in Odisha’ initiative, the State Government has initiated the process for developing technical institutions like ITIs and polytechnics into Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in OMBADC (Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation).
In a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy through video conferencing, Secretary, Skill Development and Technical Education Sanjay Kumar Singh presented the need and feasibility of such institutions.
Outlining the present state of the employability of the pass outs from ITIs and Polytechnics, Secretary Singh said “There is hundred percent campus placement of the pass outs from Badbil and Jajpur Polytechnics. Modernization of the ITI, Badbil, Mining Engineering Keonjhar, ITI Rourkela, UGIE Rourkela with the furnishing of IT labs, life skill classes, workshops, modern classrooms, residential facilities etc has been completed”.
Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy directed to develop such institutions in OMBADC area for expanding avenues of employment. He further directed to start the new age trades in drone piloting, solar technology, smart agriculture, smart horticulture, robotic technology, mechatronics, additive manufacturing technology and more as per their demand in different ITIs and Polytechnics.
Tripathy advised to scale up internal resource generating activities with modern workshops and labs of these institutions so as to make the courses self-sustainable.
Industry collaborative CoEs are currently being run in ITI, Cuttack, Pattamundai and Balasore, with support from industrial houses like Maruti Suzuki, IPSC and HSIL and Schneider Electric, in a collaborative partnership with these ITIs.
The proposal for the development of CoEs in Automation Technology at ITI Jajpur, CoE in Advanced Wielding at Polytechnic Jajpur, CoE in thermal cutting and welding at PCITI, Baripada, CoE in thermal cutting and welding and Mini Tool Room at ITI Takatpur has been approved.