ITE-style skills training centre opens in Delhi

ITE-style skills training centre opens in Delhi

Sita Deopa, 18, is thrilled to be among the pioneer batch of 174 students at the skills training centre in Delhi that is modelled after Singapore's Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

"I did a computer course but really wanted to do retail because I feel there are more opportunities in retail," said Sita, who is enrolled in the retail services course and aims to be a manager.

The centre, housed in a temporary campus at the Indian Technical Institute in north-east Delhi, is a collaboration between the Singapore and Delhi governments.

Work on it began after a memorandum of understanding was signed in July last year during Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's visit to India.

It was inaugurated on Thursday by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at a ceremony attended by a Singapore delegation led by Mr Ng Cher Pong, deputy secretary (policy) of the Ministry of Education.

"Delhi needs a lot of infrastructure and it also needs skills to manage the infrastructure. Whether it is the metro or the retail outlets, we need trained personnel," said Ms Dikshit at the ceremony. "I am grateful to the Government of Singapore."

She said the institute would be named Hunar, which means excellence in English.

Mr Ng said Singapore was "pleased to share" its experience in setting up the ITE system but also said the courses were being tailor-made for India.

 

Singapore ITE is providing help with training, creating the curriculum, doing technical assessments and campus planning. The Temasek Foundation is giving S$975,500, about 40 per cent of the funds needed to set up the training programme.

The school now offers two courses, retail and hospitality. But it expects to offer courses in 10 disciplines from accounting to retail and food processing, with 15,000 students expected to graduate every year after 2015. It will move into its new 15ha campus in Jaunpur in south-west Delhi in 2015.

India faces a shortage of skilled workers in many areas. Yet, vocational education does not garner the same respect as a college one. The new institute is therefore closely watched as a test case for vocational training.

"Our efforts (here) will make it easier to to do other projects," said Mr S. Ramadorai, adviser to the Prime Minister of India in the National Council for Skill Development.

gnirmala@sph.com.sg - See more at: https://sph.straitstimes.com/premium/asia/story/ite-style-skills-training-centre-opens-delhi-20130920#sthash.ppcxVmYe.dpuf


Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.