Printing industry to set up 3 ‘on demand ITIs’ in state

Gujarat is set to have three ITIs one each in Ahmedabad,Vadodara and Surat soon.

State-based printing industry players are looking to provide “On demand ITIs” in partnership with the state government in a bid to have more skilled workers in the fast-growing, yet largely unorganized printing industry of which Ahmedabad is considered a hub. By way of a public private partnership (PPP) model, Gujarat is set to have three ITIs one each in Ahmedabad,Vadodara and Surat soon.

“Following the central government’s directives, a skill development scheme has been rolled out by the state government two months ago, which is based on public private partnership model. Many firms in the state, including my own will be looking at offering “on demand ITIs”. With this, we will be able to offer people “on-the-job training” in skills required in the printing industry at our plants. My firm will be starting the first one in Ahmedabad by July this year, while two more printing firms have come forward to float similar ITI centres in Vadodara and Surat.

We plan to train at least 45 people in the first phase which will be of two years duration, in partnership with the state government post which they will also receive certificates. Both semi-educated and illiterate people looking at employment opportunities in the industry will be eligible to get into these ITIs,” said Mudresh Purohit, president of Printing Press Association of Ahmedabad and owner of city-based Surya Offset. He added that the printing and packaging industry is worth Rs 4,500 crore in Gujarat and growing at a rate of 35 percent.

Purohit along with members of apex industry body Indian Printing, Packaging & Allied Machinery Manufacturers Association (IPAMA) that has 500 members, of which around 35 are from Gujarat were in town to promote the upcoming printing and packaging trade expo ‘Print Pack India-2015’, which has the theme of ‘Make in India’. Many firms from the state are set to take part in the 12th edition of the trade expo which will be held from February 11 to February15 at Greater Noida Expo Mart in New Delhi, that is expected to see 450 Indian and foreign companies taking part and a footfall of over 1.25 lakh visitors.

Commenting on the growing footprint of the printing and packing industry in the state, CP Paul, general secretary of IPAMA said, “The growing packaging demands with the advent of modern trade in Gujarat especially in cities like Ahmedabad, Surat the sector has enormous opportunities to set up new printing and packaging units in the state.”

The Indian printing and packaging sector has been rated as the world’s second largest industry, growing at a rate of 10-15 percent annually and is pegged at $16,000 million.

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