Govt colleges in Punjab to offer skill development courses

As part of its campaign to provide employment to every household, the Punjab government will offer skill development courses in the state-run institutions and polytechnic colleges, Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said here today.

The new initiative will give a fillip to the government's 'Ghar Ghar Rozgar' campaign and will offer courses lasting three to six months under the Punjab Skill Development Mission, Channi, the Technical Education and Industrial Training and Employment Generation minister said.

"Dropouts or semi-literates will also be able to take admission in these skill development courses and attain free training," he said.

The cost of the training is Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per student but it will be borne by the government, he added.

In the first phase, the courses will be introduced in 22 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) and 10 polytechnics. More colleges will be roped in later.

The institutional heads will have to submit a project report on the courses they plan to introduce.

Channi has instructed all the heads of colleges and polytechnics to seek suggestion from the representatives of the industrial sector in their areas to ensure that students get adequate employment opportunities once they pass out.

The institutes exhibiting credible performances would get special incentive besides being honoured, Channi said.