Options for a career in ITI courses
If you are a student considering or currently enrolled in ITI courses, you must have come across the extremely crucial but nagging question, "What are the employment prospects following ITI?" Today, a professional's abilities are just as important as their academic credentials. Additionally, a number of government initiatives, including Skill India, strive to equip the country's youth with skill sets that will increase their employability and productivity at work. As a result, students who have completed their training at one of the Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) located throughout India have good employment prospects.
The popularity of ITI Courses
ITI courses have historically been particularly well-liked by students, especially those from rural areas, as they offer programs that are skill-focused. ITI graduates are knowledgeable professionals in the engineering or non-engineering trades.
However, during the past ten years or more, a number of reasons have contributed to a sharp decline in the popularity of ITI courses. Many students have now been driven to begin debating whether enrolling in an ITI course would be worthwhile. Students today frequently ask questions like, "Have ITI training programs lost their former luster?" Are these training programs effective right now? Come, let's investigate these issues.
Options for Careers After ITI Courses
The 21st century is the century of knowledge and skills; effective professionals in this era have specialized talents or the necessary information and know-how. Therefore, it would be incorrect to assume that ITI courses are subpar compared to others or do not offer significant employment chances. In fact, with rising unemployment rates, ITI students who possess the necessary skill set and training will frequently have a better chance of finding job than those who possess higher academic credentials.
In terms of professional chances, ITI students have two primary choices: either pursue higher education or look into employment alternatives. As will be detailed below, each of these choices has advantages of their own.
1. Additional Studies
Diploma Programmes: There are a number of engineering diploma courses available for individuals who have completed ITI training in technical trades or engineering fields. Unlike ITI courses, diploma engineering courses encompass both theoretical and practical parts of the field, delving deeper into each topic.
Specialized Short-Term Training: The Advanced Training Institutes (ATI) provides specialized short-term courses for ITI students from specific trades. Specific to the job profiles or industry requirements in the relevant domains, these courses aid students in honing their talents further.
After completing their ITI coursework, students have the option of taking the All India Trade Test, also known as the AITT. The NCVT administers the All India Trade Test (National Council for Vocational Training ). The exam serves as a proficiency examination to certify ITI students. Students who successfully complete AITT are given a National Trade Certificate (NTC) in the relevant trade by NCVT. An NTC equates to a diploma in several engineering trades.
2. Career Possibilities
Like other professional and vocational training institutions, ITIs have specialized placement units that handle student placement. These placement cells have connections with a number of governmental agencies, private businesses, and even overseas corporations that employ students for positions in a variety of trades.
A. Positions in the Public Sector
The public sector or government organizations are the largest employers of ITI students. After completing their ITI, students can look for work in a variety of Public Sector Units (PSUs), including the Railways, Telecom/BSNL, IOCL, ONGC, State-wise PWDs, and others. Additionally, students might look for job prospects with the Indian Army, a branch of the Indian Armed Forces. BSF, CRPF, the Indian Navy, and the Air Force are paramilitary organizations.
B. Private-sector employment
For trade-specific positions, the private sector, particularly those in manufacturing and mechanics, seeks out ITI students. Construction, agriculture, textiles, and energy are some of the primary industries where ITI students can find profitable career prospects. In terms of specific job profiles, the most in-demand skills for an ITI student in the private sector are electronics, welding, refrigeration, and air-conditioner repair.
C. Independent Work
This is likely the most significant benefit of choosing an ITI course, as it enables self-employment and the ability to launch one's own firm. Professionals who provide blue-collar services are in high demand due to the preference for white-collar jobs. As a result, there is a severe lack of skilled and trained plumbers, carpenters, construction workers, agricultural laborers, etc. today. Students who have earned an ITI certificate now have a fantastic opportunity to launch their own businesses and work for themselves.
D. Jobs Abroad
After completing their coursework, ITI students have the option of looking for off-shore employment. Similar to India, many developed and emerging nations are struggling with a lack of experts in the blue-collar sector—those who can fix items or offer related services. There are numerous career prospects with worldwide oil and gas plants, shipyards, etc., particularly for specialized skills like fritters.
