Kolkata: The students of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state have reasons to cheer. For the first time ever, the Mamata Banerjee government have made arrangements for holding practical classes of ITI students directly inside the premises of the industry. "Theory and practical are two important aspects of ITIs Industry people would come at the ITIs for the practical classes. But from now on the students will be taken to the industries for the training. They will get the opportunity to operate machines on their own and this will surely boost their thinking power and add to the acumen of their practical knowledge," said Purnendu Basu, Minister for Technical Education, Training and Skill Development. A German multinational conglomerate company that has its office at Kasba has been roped in by the department for arranging training of ITI students. Presently, there are 252 ITIs across the state that includes both government and private. About 25000 students per year study in the ITIs across the state. According to a senior official of the department 10 to 15 institutes will be picked up one time and the students will be taken to the industry for hands on training. "The move will also enhance the students possibility of employability as their performance during practical classes may impress the industry people," the official said. The ITIs in Bengal has been acknowledged by the centre for its excellence this year. The government ITI at Purulia has ranked first among the ITIs across the country with 25 from the state coming in the first 100. A private ITI at Salboni has also come first among the private ones across the country. It may be mentioned that Technical Education has seen a major infrastructural boost under the Mamata Banerjee government since it assumed office for the first time in 2011. "When we assumed office there were 80 ITIs. Now we have 252 ITIs – both government and private," the official said. The department has also started the process of upgrading the course curriculum at the ITIs keeping in pace with marker demand. Most of the machines that were lying defunct at workshops have been restored and some of them have been replaced with new ones as they were found to be beyond repair. It may be mentioned that among the private ITIs, the government has set certain terms and conditions for 22 institutes. The state has allocated the building, designed the course curriculum, earmarked the fees and arranged admission for 80 percent of the students in these institutes. The equipment, faculties and other infrastructure are being provided by the private body that is selected through tendering .

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