The MoU was signed at the TPSODL’s corporate office in the presence of its CEO Amit Kumar Garg and Principal of Gopabandhu Industrial Training Institute, Ambaguda, Jeypore Rajib Lochan Dash on Thursday. The MoU aims at creating a linkage between academic and industry learning for ITI students, enhancing their skills and making them industry-ready.

Under this collaboration, training will be provided with a focus on industry-specific skills, incorporating utmost safety measures. The students of the ITI will have access to hands-on training facilities that simulate real-life circumstances, as well as classroom and practical training options.

“Enhancing the skills of the future workforce is the primary motto of this initiative. Collaborations like this will help shape a high-quality professional workforce in future. Our culture of skill development and safety standards will empower them,” said Garg.

This is the 4th ITI in Odisha which has signed the MoU with TPSODL. Earlier, the company signed the agreement with ITIs at Berhampur, Hinjilicut and Rayagada.

The exhibition features an array of exquisite items, including decorative pieces, wooden handcrafted products, personal accessories, bakery items, and various other innovative creations crafted by talented ITI students. The event seeks to promote the concept of utilizing waste materials to create valuable products, reflecting not only the students’ creativity but also their commitment to sustainability.

On the second day of the exhibition Hon’ble Minister of Skill Development & Technical Education, Shri Pritiranjan Gharai had his august presence. While interacting with the ITI students, He mentioned that Skilled In Odisha has become a global brand. With admiration for the innovative concept of the exhibition, he expressed a strong determination to elevate these outlets to the level of a distinguished brand called “Skilled In Odisha.” This visionary initiative aims to expand its, providing students with recognition and abundant income generation prospects. The goal is to empower and uplift the skilled artisans of Odisha, showcasing their talents on a broader platform while Skilled In Odisha

The primary objectives of the “Skilled-in-Odisha” program are to raise awareness about the brand among the public and to provide ITI trainees with a platform to showcase their talents and express themselves artistically. The event brings together four government ITIs – ITI Berhampur, ITI Bhubaneswar, ITI Cuttack, and TTI Takatpur Mayurbhanj. Their participation underscores the commitment of Odisha’s skill development sector to nurturing and showcasing local talent.

The exhibition will continue until August 11th, 2023, providing an opportunity for government staff and the public to explore the exceptional craftsmanship and innovative products on display. The “Skilled-in-Odisha: Exhibition-cum-Sale” promises to be a celebration of skill, creativity, and sustainability, further establishing Odisha as a hub for artistic and vocational excellence.

The State government has given priority to empowering the youth to meet the demands of the modern industrial world by adopting innovative methods of skill development and making the Skilled in Odisha brand popular in the global professional market.

In today’s digital age, education is not limited to chalk and dusters, but has embraced multimedia and simulation methods. In the virtual reality (VR) method, through computer software, the reality of any object or equipment can be shown in the class room very flawlessly, and skillful training can be given on it. Such an approach can bring innovation in the field of technical education and training and meet the human resource demands of the modern industrial world, a release issued by the department said.

The National Instructional Media Institute (NIMI), Chennai, under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, has taken up the Virtual Reality (VR) training program as a pilot project in five government ITIs throughout India. Among them Government Industrial Training Centre, Bhubaneswar is included. Apart from this, ITI Alliganj, Uttar Pradesh, ITI Asarnath, Maharashtra, ITI Nago, Assam and ITI Vijayawada have been included. This project is being implemented under the direct supervision of IIT, Mumbai Alumni M/s Engg Online Feast Software Pvt Ltd. Through this project, about 150 practical trades of fitter, electrician, welder and motor vehicle mechanic can be done through virtual reality (VR) software.

The launch program was attended by senior officials of the Directorate, Executive Director, Chennai, Mr. K. Srinivas Rao, as well as faculty and trainers of all 77 government ITIs of the state through video conferencing.