Gujarat Knowledge Corp to set up 50 training centres by June

All set to make human resource in the state more employable, Gujarat Knowledge Corporation (GKC) will be setting up close to 50 training centres in industrial estates across the state. The centres will identify the lowest rung of unskilled manpower such as local vendors and traders and train them in entrepreneurship. It is with this intention to develop such need based skilled manpower that the Gujarat government has established GKC.

"Work on training centres have begun and by June GKC will be setting up close to 50 of them. In times like these, the training centres will help unskilled manpower in sectors like pharma, auto engineering, textile and others improve their employability and get better jobs," said Chandan Chatterjee, director at Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED).

As part of the strategy to promote ready skilled manpower, a high level empowered committee has been established under the chairmanship of the industries commisioner, government of Gujarat consisting of Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Directorate of Employment Training (DET) and Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED). Moreover, the government is roping in the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay as advisors to coordinate and monitor the activities at these anchor institutes as well as assist in preparing a curriculum for need based short term courses.

The state government will be tying up with eight identified 'anchor institutes' like M S University of Baroda, Indian Diamond Institute (IDI), Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) in Surat, Dharmsinh Desai Institute of Technology (DDIT) in Nadiad and other existing engineering colleges, polytechnics and Industrial Technical Institutes (ITIs). The anchor institutes will focus on specific sectors like chemical, textile, engineering and auto, agri and food processing, infrastructure, gems and jewellery and others.

To be set up under public private partnership (PPP) mode, the move will allow corporates sponsor purchase of necessary machineries and equipment while the infrastructure will be provided by the government.

Corporates will also be allowed to provide certificates jointly with the government. On its part, the state government is planning to invest over Rs 100 crore for the scheme this year.