Industrial Training Institute generally known as ITI's and their self-financing counterparts i.e Industrial Training Centre known as ITC's to the masses are those training institutes that provide training in engineering and non-engineering technical fields and are constituted under the Ministry of Labour, Government of India. These institutes were established to impart technical knowledge in various trades to the young boys and girls who have just passed their 10th standard and want to have some technical knowledge instead of going for conventional higher studies. The main objective behind the opening of ITI’s is to provide technical manpower to the fast emerging secondary sector i.e. industrial sector of the developing and developed economy. These young ones are trained in basic practical skills required to do jobs in the industry like that of a fitter or lathe operator. The courses in the ITI’s are designed in such a way that they can prove helpful to impart basic skills in the trade specified. The duration of various courses running in the ITI’s can vary from a basic certificate course of one year to an industrial diploma course of three years depending upon the trade opted by the aspirant.
After the completion of ITI course, the candidate has to undergo practical training in his trade in an industry for a year or two which is mandatory to appear for National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) Certificate. This certificate is compulsory for applying for jobs in relevant categories in various reputed companies.
There are both government funded and private (self-financing) ITI's in India. Most of ITI's impart training in a couple of hundred technical trades like electrician, fitter, plumber, mechanic etc. which are evergreen courses.
ITC's are self-financing and provide same courses as ITI's. Trade test for ITI and ITC trainees are also common. Students who opt for engineering trade are also eligible and can go for higher studies like diploma in engineering.
There are also specialized short-term courses for some specified trades in Advanced Training Institute acronym as ATI’s that enhance the skills of the ITI passed out candidates. Besides getting considerably good jobs in the industrial sector ITI qualified candidates can set up their own small scale units involving work related to the trade they have opted in ITI's.
With the increasing demand of these skilled and semi-skilled low rug professionals in the developed countries, these professionals can also apply for immigration to countries on the basis of demand lists of various professionals released by these countries from time to time and make their fortunes overseas.
The organisation associated with the functioning of ITI’s are: