Skilling of differently abled in Madhya Pradesh :

The Directorate of Skill Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh has taken efforts in admission of Deaf and Blind (100% differently abled) students into ITIs of Madhya Pradesh.

Background :

The Directorate of Skill Development in Madhya Pradesh is functioning under Department of Technical Education and Skill Development and is coordinating the functioning of government and private Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). There are 221 ITIs in the state with a total intake capacity of 50,000. The core activity of the department is to provide job-oriented training for unemployed youth to produce a skilled workforce matching the demands of industry. The training for differently abled students is a new initiative, started in 2016 by the State Government.

Intervention :

The Government of India has mandated 6% reservation in academic institutions for admission of differently abled students. Thus, following the same principle, Directorate of Skill Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh (GoMP) has reserved a total of 2940 seats for differently abled student across 221 Government ITIs. It was, however, difficult to cater to the special needs of these differently abled students at individual ITI level. Deaf students required a sign language instructor and blind students needed specially trained training officers.

Thus, the Directorate of Skill Development, GoMP collaborated with the Department of Social Justice and Welfare, GoMP for a special initiative to train differently abled students in specific trades in Divisional level ITIs, where it was possible to fulfill the requirement of Sign language instructors and Training Officers for blind students. Sixteen Interpreters were hired specifically to support the deaf students.

Training Officers of the concerned trades have been trained by Aarushi NGO (expert in working with person having disabilities). A workshop was conducted with experts working with person having disabilities along with MP State Electronics Development Corp (MPSEDC). All differently abled trainees are eligible to receive a stipend as well as post-training support from the Directorate of Skill Development. Also, to provide a more enabling studying environment, the Directorate has decided to give laptops to all the blind students enrolled under Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) trade in four of the ITIs.

The State Government is constructing special labs for blind students; one such lab is ready for use in Bhopal ITI. Also, students coming to the ITI from other towns and villages in the state have been provided with hostel facilities by the Department of Social Justice and Welfare, GoMP.

Trades under which admissions are offered include:

• Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (Blind and Deaf Students)
• Fashion Designing and Technology (Deaf Students)
• Fitter (Deaf Students)
• Electrician (Deaf Students)
• Welder (Deaf Students)
• Mechanic Diesel Engine (Deaf Students)

Impact :

First of its kind in India, Madhya Pradesh Skill Development Department has gone a step ahead in reserving 462 seats in 6 trades across 8 Divisional level Industrial Training Institutes for 100% blind and 100% deaf students. A total of 727 applications were received in the counseling stage, out of which 402 students (173 blind students and 229 deaf students) were offered admissions based on eligibility.

GoMP has provided employment reservation to Persons with Disabilities where 6% of the vacancies in case of direct recruitment to Group A, B, C and D posts, wherein 2% each is kept reserved for blind, deaf and orthopedically challenged persons respectively. Many of these differently abled job aspirants cannot make it for these state and central level vacancies due to lack of a recognized skill certificate. This intervention in training the differently abled, once successfully completed and fully functional, is likely to ensure that differently abled students have access to equal employment opportunities.

Key takeaways :

• Improved access to training by differently abled in relevant trades.
• Active involvement of civil society and industry in identification of needs.
• Availability of requisite infrastructure in training, particularly, trainers, labs, special softwares, logistics etc. is a must for smooth completion of training.
• Improved access to employment opportunities to lead life with dignity.