Insights from more than 50 years of combined service in industry and technical training

To know more about the training and skill development programs and the values that NTTF delivers, Team NSN connected with Mr. Joseph Cheriyan, Zonal Head, NTTF who has been with NTTF for more than 50 years.  Mr. Cheriyan has proved that there’s nothing called retirement by dedicating his life to helping people in skilling and training even after his retirement.

In this Skill Talk, Mr. Joseph Cheriyan shares his experience and journey in NTTF along with the initiatives that are being taken to make the students industry-ready. Let’s read on…

You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.

Q. For how long have you been associated with NTTF, please share important milestones in your journey?

A: I am an NTTF alumnus and I started my course in Tool and Die Making in 1963 when NTTF was just started. After the completion of my course, I joined the production unit of NTTF as a Tool and Die Maker in Vellore. The work was challenging and I was able to get good hands-on experience. After two years, I got an opportunity to work as a trainer for one of the training centers. In 1980 I was transferred to the Bangalore center. I moved to a production center after working for six years in the Bangalore center. In the production center, I worked for various departments before taking over the entire Production Tool Room where I worked until my retirement in 2002. The work was challenging and I was enjoying my work to the fullest which is why I never thought of leaving NTTF. 

Even after my retirement, I continued my association with NTTF as a trainer. Initially, I worked in the Post-Graduation department. I moved to Jamshedpur when a new center was being built in association with Tata Steel. I worked there for five years before moving to Cochin. After spending five years in Cochin, I took charge as the Principal of Kuttippuram center and then INTC which is in Malappuram. I was in charge of both the centers for some time. In February 2020, I became the zonal head for the four centers in Bangalore, Vellore, Coimbatore and Kumbakonam. 

Q. Please tell us about the six-decade-long journey of NTTF?

A: I have been associated with NTTF since its starting days and have witnessed its growth in these 60 years. NTTF started in a very small way and today it has grown immensely. We have 15 main centers across the country. We are also associated with many reputed industries. We have launched many skill development initiatives such as the Learn and Earn program. More than 50,000 students have passed out from NTTF in major courses at Diploma and Post Graduate levels. We also provide short term courses where the pass out rate is in lakhs. 

Along with the technical knowledge, NTTF also builds the personality of its students. It by inculcating values, tradition and discipline.  Today, these skills are the most valued by the industries. The people who have good discipline and good attitude have come up in life to great heights. Many of our students are holding many high positions in industries and many have taken the entrepreneurial path and own successful businesses. 

Q. How does NTTF manage such good connectivity with the industry?

A: We have a strong industry connection which is very essential for technical and vocational education. We design our curriculum as per the needs of the industry. We also help the industries to train their employees. We receive a lot of feedback from the industries on how to improve in certain areas. We take their suggestions and design our curriculum accordingly. 

Our student’s performances in industries are the driving force for them to get connected with NTTF. So, we don’t face any problems when it comes to placements. All our students are employed and most of them get placed even before they complete the course. This year, despite the pandemic, the placement rates are very high.  

We are also contributing to the skill development mission of the government of India. We are providing NSQF Level 3, 4 and 5 courses under the aegis of NSDC. At the end of the first year, our students take NSQF Level 3 exam, in the second year they take the NSQF exam of Level 4 and in the final year they take an exam for Level 5 and then they get a certificate. 

Q. How do you ensure that the faculty are upskilled and continuously trained to meet the dynamic nature of the industry-integrated curriculum?

A: We have a strong faculty development department in NTTF. Every year we take feedback from our staff and the principals which we send to the head office where our faculty development team design various programs for the training of the trainers. We run these programs very rigorously to make sure that our trainers are updated about the industry requirements. We used to invite the trainers to the campus to deliver the training. Due to the pandemic, we have shifted the training to online mode. NTTF provides training to develop the expertise of the trainers as per their needs. 

Q. Please tell us about some of the popular courses offered by Bangalore, Vellore, Coimbatore and Kumbakonam centres?

A: In Bangalore, Training Centre (BTC), Diploma in Tool Engineering and Digital Manufacturing is one of the most popular training courses. Vellore and Coimbatore centers offer Tool Engineering and Digital Manufacturing and Mechatronics Engineering and Smart Factory as two of their major courses. Kumbakonam Training Centre (KTC) only offers a Diploma in Mechatronics Engineering and Smart Factory. 

We also provide many short-term courses in these centers as and when needed. We have recently started a training program for Tata Electronics Industries under which 18,000 students, mostly girls, will be trained. The training program is being conducted in Bangalore, Vellore and Kumbakonam. We also deliver projects outside India. We have done a few projects with Malaysia, Mauritius, and Indonesia and we are going to do one in Uganda very soon.

Also read: Technical training that ensures industry-readiness and aspirational career paths https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/technical-training-that-ensures-aspirational-career-paths/

Q. Any suggestions you wish to give to the students?

A: Today, it is important for the students to understand the importance of skills in one’s life. Their interest should be developed and we must keep them motivated to do their best. In NTTF we make sure to mould their personality as per the industry requirements. After the end of their training, they should feel confident and well equipped with all the required skill sets.