The Alagappa University – IL&FS Institute of Skills (AU-IIS) was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, P Chidambaram on 5th, October, 2013. The AU-IIS is being set up by Alagappa University in partnership with IL&FS Skills. It is the 36th IIS being established by IL&FS Skills, a joint venture company between IL&FS and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). It is the first skill development institute in the country, where the students on successful completion of the program would receive dual certification from Alagappa University and Industry enabled Sector Skill Councils (SSCs). They would be trained to National Occupational Standards (NOS). The programs have been designed to enable the trainees to get jobs in domestic as well as overseas companies.
The Hon’ble Finance Minister toured the facilities and interacted with the first batch of 152 students. Speaking on the occasion, he complimented Alagappa University and IL&FS Skills for establishing this institute in Karaikudi. Addressing the students, he exhorted them saying, “Standards are most important, without standards there would be no quality. You would be trained in AU-IIS and your skills would be assessed and certified to these standards. To support all this, the Government is providing you with a reward of Rs 10,000 in some trades and Rs. 15000 in others. So take advantage of all these training facilities and work hard to become exceptional welders, electricians and other tradesmen.” The FM also stressed the need for learning English. He said, “It is important to love one’s mother tongue, but at the same time, each one of you should learn English for doing well in your jobs whether in India and overseas.”
AU-IIS is currently offering programs in 10 trades, targeted at various learner segments and industries. Four of the programs are for entry level operators – Welding technicians, CNC Machine Operators, Electricians and Animators, two are for graduates – Retail Sales Associate and Financial Services Executives, two for engineering students – CAD/ CAM Designers and Industrial Automation Engineers, one each for entrepreneurs – Apparel Entrepreneur –and for working operators – Metal Setter for Gems and Jewellery. AU-IIS intends train 1000 students annually. The program fees are roughly 2 to 3 months of the salaries. For those students, who do not have the financial capabilities, the institute has tied up loan facilities with Central Bank of India, Also various Government schemes including the STAR Scheme is available for those eligible. One of the features of the institute is an Incubation Centre for promotion of startup apparel enterprises, where potential young entrepreneurs would be coached to start their own small apparel manufacturing units.
Prof, Kaliyamoorthy, Convenor of Vice Chancellor Officiating Committee, Prof V Manickavasagam, Registrar, Dr B Dharmalingam, Director Skill Development Center, Alagappa University, Ravi Parthasarthy, Chairman, IL&FS and RCM Reddy, MD & CEO, IL&FS Skills also spoke on the occasion. Kaliyamoorthy in his address spoke about the University’s plans for skill development and the vision to make AU-IIS a world class skills training institute
The FM in his concluding remarks said, “We should strive to achieve 100 percent employment for the youth of Sivaganga district.” Aashish Batra of National Skill Development Corporation and Mr Dharmesh Sodah of Gems and Jewellery Skill Council of India were also present during the occasion.
