Visakhapatnam : Skill Development Institute (SDIs) set up here by oil companies as part of corporate social responsibility will be converted into a university for which the State government is in the process of allotting 100 acres on the city outskirts at Sabbavaram.
Eight oil companies, which included HPCL, BPCL and IOC, have established SDIs in the city as well as Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Rae Bareli and Guwahati to create skilled manpower in various disciplines by offering short-term courses free of cost.
The oil companies will grant ₹496 crore for developing the campus for the SDI in the city.
12 more courses
At present, it is conducting classes at a building taken on lease from GVMC at Arilova. Sources told that while the State government would have equity in the project in lieu of land to be given by it for the university, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is likely to become a partner. AP Skill Development Corporation is monitoring the progress of the project. At present, SDI in the city is offering eight courses. Twelve more will be added shortly. Each course is of two-month duration. Courses will be available in data analytics, web development, embedded and robotics and autocad shortly.
Presently courses are offered in plumbing, welding, fitter, industrial electrician, IT helpdesk attendant, solar PV installer, inventory clerk and draughtsman. Satellite branches have also been set up at Pendurthi, Kancharapalem and Daba Gardens. The qualification required is 10th pass.
When contacted, HPCL Chief Manager and in-charge of SDI-Vizag C.V.N. Das said the institute which started its classes here in October 2016 was consistently maintaining its reputation in achieving 90% placement offers and over 70% in accepting jobs.
While 10th pass are getting salaries in the range of ₹8.000-₹10,000, for plus two/diploma it is between ₹11,000 and ₹13,000 and degree ₹12,000 and ₹15,000 per month.
SDI is conducting course in various jails for the convenience of prisoners to lead a decent life once they walk free. Plumbing and welding courses are conducted at the central Jail in the city from January. Two batches of plumbing and one in welding each with 30 prisoners have already completed the courses. No qualification is required for prisoners.
At the central jail in Rajamahendravaram, seven batches have completed the courses since launching in January, 2017. Mr. Das said they had plans to introduce more such courses through training partners.
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