Industrial Training Department

The Industrial Training Department (ITD) functions under the Department of Labour and Skills, Government of Kerala, with the aims of providing Skill and Apprenticeship Training. Industrial Training Department runs several skill training programmes in the Industrial Training Institutes in Kerala. It also registers youth for Apprenticeship training across various institutions in Kerala. It is also the nodal agency at State-level for executing various skill development activities of the Director General of Training (DGT) under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, India Government. The department implements the major two schemes launched by the Director General of Training, namely Craftsman Training Scheme and Apprenticeship Training Scheme, through several Government and private Institutes in the urban, semi-urban and rural areas of Kerala. The free training and other assistances given to the trainees helps to bring the marginalised sections of society to the mainstream of technological advancement.

a) Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS)

The Government of India launched the Craftsman Training Scheme in 1950 to guaranty a consistent supply of skilled workers in various trades for domestic industry, to increase industrial production both quantitatively and qualitatively through systematic training, and to reduce unemployment among educated youth by offering employable training. The highest authority in the nation for carrying out the program is the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). According to the scheme, a student who passes the All India Trade Test and finishes training in a specific trade is granted a National Trade Certificate (NTC). There were 3,57,298 trainees enrolled under CTS from 2014-15 to 2024-25 in Kerala.

b) Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS)

The Apprenticeship Training Scheme is carried out in accordance with the Apprentices Act of 1961. This Act was passed in order to control the training program for apprentices in the industry so that it adheres to standard curricula, training durations, skill sets, etc. and to make use of industry facilities for practical training in order to meet industry demands for skilled labor. A contract between an employer and an apprentice that provides a stipend determined by the Apprentices Act of 1961 is known as an apprenticeship. When it comes to controlling contracts and keeping an eye on the procedure, the central and state governments serve as third parties.

c) Industrial Training Institutes

There are 108 Government Industrial Training Institutes, one Advanced Vocational Training System and 9 Related Instruction Centres are working in Kerala, with an entire capacity of around 33,000 seats (1st year and 2nd year). Here the 30% seats are reserved for women candidates. This includes 14 women ITIs in the Government sector.