Punjab ITIs witness unprecedented 25% surge in admissions

Chandigarh: In a significant boost to vocational education in Punjab, the state ITIs have witnessed unprecedented 25% surge in admissions.

Disclosing this here today, Technical Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains informed that admissions to Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state have surged by an impressive 25%, rising from 28,000 to 35,000 in the current academic year.

Harjot Singh Bains said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is actively working to provide vocational education to the youth in order to address the issues of unemployment and brain-drain which further led to migration. He mentioned that efforts are being made under a focused mission in this direction, with the number of ITI seats increased during the current academic session and plans to expand the total seats to 50,000 in the next two academic years.

Harjot Singh Bains said, “This remarkable increase in ITI admissions reflecting the growing recognition of skill-based education among our youth. We are not stopping here. Our target for the next two years is to reach 50,000 admissions and we are committed to strengthening placement opportunities for ITI graduates.”

The Technical Minister noted, prior to the 2023 academic session, many of the 28,000 seats in state-run ITIs remained vacant, adding that the goal for the 2023 session was to achieve 100 percent enrollment in ITIs and numerous efforts were made to reach this objective. As a result, an additional 7,000 seats had to be added during the current academic session.

Highlighting key achievements, he said that the state government increased seating capacity in 137 government ITIs from 28,880 to 35,000 for the 2024-25 academic year. He said that the ITIs are now offering 86 trades, including both engineering and non-engineering options, catering to a wide range of career aspirations, besides introducing cutting-edge courses such as Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Electric Vehicle Mechanics, Industrial Robotics, Digital Manufacturing and Drone Technology.

Taking about gender equality push in the ITIs, the Cabinet Minister said that 33% reservation for women across all trades has been implemented, resulting in increased female participation in vocational training. He informed that pilot programs in women’s ITIs offering engineering courses like Electrician and Mechanic Diesel Engine, in partnership with leading companies such as ITC Ltd. and Swaraj Engines Ltd.

Disclosing future plans, Harjot Singh Bains said that the state government aims to expand seating capacity to 50,000 in next two years, with a focus on introducing more engineering courses in women’s ITIs.

Minister Bains said, “The expanded capacity and diverse trade offerings, along with our focus on gender inclusivity, are vital steps toward equipping Punjab’s youth with the skills needed for the future.

” We are committed to bridging the skill gap and enhancing employability in our state”, he added.