The institute plans to expand its offerings to 8-9 trades with a target of 500 enrolments at steady state
Khopoli: Tata Steel today inaugurated the J.N. Tata Vocational Training Institute (JNTVTI) near its plant at Khopoli, Maharashtra, with a focus on skill development for local youth. The institute aims to empower local students by improving their skills and increasing employment opportunities.
The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of Mahendra Sadashiv Thorve, MLA, Karjat-Khalapur constituency; Dr. S. S. Inamdar, Vice President, Viswaniketan Trust; Subodh Pandey, Vice President, Operations, Tata Steel Meramandali, and New Material Business and Graphene; Kapil Modi, Executive Plant Head, Khopoli and Housr, Tata Steel; and Jay Singh Panda, Chief, L&D and Chief, Diversity Officer, and Settlor JNTVTI.
Commending Tata Steel for the initiative, Mahendra Sadashiv Thorve, MLA, Karjat-Khalapur constituency, urged the local students to know more about the JNTVTI training centre and its programmes. He encouraged the centre to prepare students to be industry-ready. Assuring his support for the institute, he extended his best wishes for the future success of the training centre.
Located at the Vishwaniketan Institute of Management, Entrepreneurship, and Engineering Technology campus in Khopoli, the JNTVTI features top-notch classroom infrastructure. The institute’s inaugural batch, named “Stellar 60,” comprises students enrolled in various courses such as Mechanical Supervisor, Welder, Gas Cutter, Electrician, and Site Safety Supervisor. JNTVTI has conducted enrollment drives across Karjat, Khalapur, Pilllai Engineering College, Rasayani, KMC College Khopoli, etc. Out of the 375 students assessed, 63 got admission to the first batch.
Expressing gratitude for the support from the administration and community for the initiative, Subodh Pandey, Vice President, Operations, Tata Steel Meramandali, and New Material Business and Graphene, said, “As the industrial expansion is rapidly advancing, it is resulting in a demand for a significant number of skilled workforces. He advised the young students of JNTVTI to be future-ready, strengthen their skill sets, and be role models for the next batch of students. He hoped the institute would contribute to the growth of a skilled manpower pool for the local industry ecosystem and beyond.
Dr. S.S. Inamdar, Vice President of Vishwaniketan Trust, said their institution aims to prioritize skill-based education and foster a generation of job creators instead of job seekers. Over the past nine years, Vishwaniketan has collaborated with 14 universities and is now delighted to partner with Tata Steel in establishing JNTVTI, as both organisations share a common vision.
Headquartered in Jamshedpur, JNTVTI is driven by the Learning & Development Department of Tata Steel. Since its inception in 2015, it has established 8 centres across the country including the present one with 21 full time vocational courses in different trades related to Manufacturing, Mining and Construction industries.