January 24, 2019
Bangla leads in technical education
Bangla is one of the few States having an integrated Skills Development Policy. As part of the policy, West Bengal Skills Development Mission, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the chairperson, is providing the policy guidance. The Paschim Banga Society for Skills Development (PBSSD), with the State chief secretary as the chairperson, is the coordinating agency for skills development programmes.
Utkash Bangla: On February 16, 2016, the scheme, Utkarsh Bangla was launched as the flagship scheme for skills development in Bangla, with a target of empowering about 6 lakh youths with skills every year.
Infrastructure of polytechnic colleges:
· Twenty-eight Government polytechnics, including five in Jangalmahal, constructed and operationalised
· 1 Government-sponsored polytechnic operationalised
· 11 polytechnics under construction
· With respect to 2011, Government polytechnics increased by 74 per cent and private polytechnics by 177 per cent
· With respect to 2011, total intake capacity in Government polytechnics increased by 55 per cent and in private polytechnics by 190 per cent
· 25 girls’ hostels set up
· Language laboratories being set up in polytechnics for developing communication skills
Implementation of the latest technologies
· 2 smart classrooms being set up in each of the 66 Government polytechnics
· E-content developed for 50 subjects in different disciplines; development of e-content for the remaining 120 subjects are in the pipeline
· Safety insurance for students of Government polytechnics being worked out
· e-Yantra Project on robotics developed in collaboration with IIT Bombay;
· 10 Government polytechnics and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, successfully implementing e-Yantra
· Laboratory Set-up Initiative (eLSI) for project-based learning on embedded systems and robotics, a cutting-edge technology for enhancement of employability
· Performance of teachers and students exemplary in the national competition on robotics
· Special placement drive initiated since the last 2 years by TATA Steel at APC Ray Polytechnic, a nodal institute for the project on robotics
Industrial Training Institutes (ITI)
· 150 blocks out of the 341 blocks of the State have ITIs, up from 39 before June 1, 2011
· 262 functional ITIs, up from 81 before June 1, 2011
· Intake capacity is 71,379 trainees, up from 17,636 before June 1, 2011
Training and collaborations
· Bangla Government signed MoU with Maruti Suzuki for advanced course on automobiles at ITI Tollygunge.
· Bangla Government signed MoU with Samsung for cutting-edge training for making latest consumer electronic appliances at WITI Kolkata, ITI Kalyani, ITI Howrah Homes and WITI Bardhaman; so far, 425 candidates trained in all, and 265 are employed with Samsung
· Government, in collaboration with West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Ltd. (WEBEL), has undertaken a project named WBSWAN, which is the backbone for establishment of internet connectivity with minimum Wi-Fi and LAN at 49 Government ITIs
· Apprenticeship training for pass-out as well as fresher ITI trainees conducted. Under the new scheme, NAPS, 25 per cent of stipend of trainees reimbursed; total of 19,569 trainees enrolled under NAPS, of which 10,638 in the category of passed-out trainees
Implementation of latest technologies
· 50 per cent concession on admission form and registration fees for Kanyashree-enrolled candidates (women)
· Two classrooms at each of 42 Government polytechnics to be converted into smart classrooms soon
· ITI Durgapur to be upgraded to a Model ITI, based on the iron and steel sector
· State PWD Department upgrading infrastructure at 53 Government ITIs
Awards: Bangla selected as Best State in 2013, 2014 and 2016 at the All India Skills Competition organised by the Central Government
