The Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (RDSDE) has joined hands with the Commissionerate of Employment to introduce trade apprentice engagement and recruitment fairs, to be held in seven regions in Tamil Nadu.
The one in Chengalpet would be held on February 19th, Salem on February 21st, Coimbatore on February 24th, Ulundurpet on February 26th, Madurai on February 28th, Thanjavur on March 2nd, and Tirunelveli on March 4th.
The six fairs are cumulatively expected to benefit as many as 40,000 youngsters in the state, and will have over 750 public and private sector companies participating in them.
With Tamil Nadu being among the states with the highest rate of unemployment in India, at 7.6%, this initiative is expected to play a crucial role in helping several unemployed youths in the state land internships at organisations like NISSAN, HPCL, ONGC, and IOC, and other leading service sector-based companies.
The apprenticeship programme is particularly focusing on individuals with education from up to the 8th grade, whether pass or fail, to national or state certificate holders on multiple trades. Selected candidates would receive a monthly stipend of between Rs 5,000, and Rs 7,000.
K Srinivasa Rao, the joint director of RDSDE, said, “Integral Coach Factory is also taking part in the fair along with other public sector companies. It will observe 20% of the candidates taken for the apprentice programme as regular employee.”
Furthermore, the fairs are also aimed at connecting members of today’s young workforce with established companies. It would offer them an opportunity to receive specialised industry training, and also receive a certificate for the course, at the end.
Mr Rao added, “After two years of apprenticeship, the candidates are eligible to appear for all India trade test (AITT). Once they clear it, they stand better chance to get employment in foreign countries. These certificates are recognised in all the foreign countries as the ministry (ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship) has signed MoUs with several countries in this regard.”
T. V. Rajasekar, deputy director of training at the Advanced Training Institute, Guindy, Chennai, said that the institute is also planning on collaborating with the state government and industry bodies, and organise such fairs more often, to help the youth in the state enhance their skillsets and earn, while learning the intricacies of trade from industry experts.
Content Team
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
