‘Thank You, St Aloysius, Industrial Training Institute {SAITI} for Brightening Our Future’- Students
“It is not enough for our students to get training just based on the syllabus, but we want to provide them with the best training at par with industrial requirements so that our students attain the best, become the best and get easily employed. We give preference to youth from rural areas and poor families. We would like to help more youth from the rural belts. But, ITI being a non-profit institution, this is possible only with the financial assistance from noble-hearted people ”-Rev Fr Eric Mathias SJ, the Director of SAITI.
“Companies from various fields come in search of the candidates to our institution, but many a time we have to return them empty-handed because almost all the students get employed as soon as they finish their course”- Vincent Mendonsa, Principal
“Majority of the students those who come here wouldn’t have got the opportunity to come to the stage previously. We want to prepare our students to be the leaders in their respective fields. Confidence and public speaking skills are very important for being successful. Keeping this in mind, we encourage our students to win over the fear of public speaking and also develop in them organisational skills”- Roshan D’souza, Vice Principal.
“Discipline and punctuality are very essential to succeed in life. These qualities are an integral part of our training programme. This way we try to develop these qualities in students”- Romius D’souza, Training Officer.
“What we are today is because of this great institution. It is our time to give back to the institution whatever we can”-Naveen Rasquinha, the present President of SAITI Old Students Association
“Our old students are the real brand ambassadors of our institution. Being associated with the old students and seeing their success is a gratifying experience”- Alwyn Menezes, Junior Training Officer & In-charge of Old Student Association.
Mangaluru: SSLC /PUC is the stage where many of the students find themselves in a dilemma and unsure which path to select. Some may blindly follow others only to find out later that they were not suitable to that field. Some may just rely on their parents or others for advice. But, the choice they make at this stage defines their future. Hence, it is very much necessary to make a conscious informed decision which matches with their capabilities and interests. For some students, who could not clear the exam or scored less, find themselves in a very difficult situation. Unable to get admissions in prestigious institutions and humiliation from friends and relatives makes every moment a nightmare. Uncertainty and fear make their life miserable.
Is the life of these academically weak students is destined to be doomed? Many think so… But, contrary to the popular belief, we get plenty of examples where these so-called ‘useless’ or academically backward students progress to build a bright future, many a time even better than the students who pursue graduate studies or acquire Engineering/medical degrees. But for many who made the right decision to join SAITI to pursue their career in the technical field, have accomplished success, thereby making their dreams come true. SAITI is an institution which brightens the future of students, and many have well-settled in life, by working and getting pay at renowned companies in India and abroad.
Yashawanth was a boy from a poor family residing in Padavinangady. He had scored 60% in SSLC. He could not dream of higher education because of the average marks and financial constraints. His uncle suggested him to join St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute at Mangaluru. Heeding his advice, Yashawanth took Plumber (Sanitary technology) trade in the institution. And now, he is an entrepreneur working independently. “Ever since I completed my course, I have never been out of work,” he says happily. He is managing to earn about Rs 40,000/month. He is married and well settled with a wife and 2 children.
The unemployment problem is not because there are no vacancies, it is simply because the skills required for the job do not match with the skill sets possessed by the job seekers. There is a wide gap between industry requirements and the skills imparted by institutions. When the training matches the job requirement, the job is guaranteed. Wilson Salu ‘Siddi’ is a boy from a very remote village in Uttara Kannada called ‘Mundgod’. His parents are coolie workers getting meagre income, which is not guaranteed. Belonging to Scheduled tribe, the living conditions were very bad back home. With the help of Jesuit Priests, he came to Mangaluru and joined St Aloysius ITI. He learned the skills of the welder trade during the training period of one year. He got the job immediately after the completion of the course, even before the results were out. He is working with “Spectrum Industries” at Baikampady- Mangaluru and earning a good salary with other facilities.
We get many such success stories of the youth who from ‘nobody’ got transformed into ‘somebody’ and created an identity for themselves. St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute has indeed opened a doorway of opportunities to the youth who otherwise would have been unemployed and might have been failures in life. Since its inception, the institution has been a guiding light to the youth. The institution was started in 1981 to commemorate the Centenary Jubilee of St Aloysius College with the vision of empowering the youth, especially the youth from rural and backward sections of the society. In fact, initial idea was to start an Engineering /Medical college.
Reflecting on this idea deeply, the Jesuits felt that affluent people would, however, get plenty of opportunities, but people from poorer and weaker sections of the society do not have any meaningful opportunities. The immediate need was felt for the mission to empower the youth from these sections of the society and bring them to the mainstream. Thus was born an institution, which was soon to become one of the best in the field of technical education. The institution, through its wide array of technical courses, imparts technical skills at par with industrial requirements and helps to build a secure future.
Ravi Devadiga who is presently working in “Omeir Bin Yousuff & Sons” in Abu Dhabi says, “My decision to join St Aloysius Training Institute was the best decision ever taken by me. It changed my life”. He was a boy from a very poor family residing at a rural village called ‘Haleangadi’. His father was working for daily wages and mother was a beedie worker. Being the eldest of three sons, he had a big responsibility on his shoulders of providing better future for the family. Just 40% marks in SSLC exam and financial constraints meant a dark future. He tried his luck for one year to get a decent job, but his efforts went in vain. As he was desperately searching for options, he came to know about the St Aloysius ITI and joined the institution to try his luck. That changed all and today he has been able to realize his dream of providing a better life for his family. He is now planning to get married and settle in life.
The institution not only provides the state of the art training, it also focuses on the all-round growth of the students. Confidence building and motivation are the very important elements that are integrated in the training process at every stage. Soft skills are also imparted to the students. Because of this, the students who once were regarded as ‘failures’, rise up like Phoenix and become successful. Akash, an academically very weak student from Coorg was admitted to St Aloysius ITI by their parents. Their aim was to at least make him able to earn for himself and be self-reliant. The positive environment and supportive faculty helped him to gain self-confidence. His mother was staying in a rented house near the institution with her son to help him in studies.
Finally, to everyone’s surprise, he cleared the All India Trade Test with good grades. Soon after the completion of the course, he worked in a Maruti dealership and few other companies. Presently, he has passionately engaged himself in designing and building unique vehicles. Recently, he had built a Go-cart vehicle all by himself and it received a wide publicity. He has also built a portable mini bike, which can be folded and taken to any place. The recent addition to his kitty is an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). His mother says that she is ever indebted to the Management & faculty of St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute.
Low cost of education and easy and faster employability makes the training at this institution a real blessing to the academically weak and poor students. In the era, where even the BBM/Engineering/Medical Graduates are finding it hard to get employment after spending many years and quite a big chunk of money, the boys/girls from this institution join the workforce and get productive just within a year or two of joining this institution. “Companies from various fields come in search of the candidates to our institution, but many a time we have to return them empty-handed because almost all the students get employed as soon as they finish their course”, says Vincent Mendonsa, Principal of the Institution.
The Institution has entered into joint ventures with many companies to keep itself abreast of technological advancements. “It is not enough for our students to get training just based on the syllabus, but we want to provide them with the best training at par with industrial requirements so that our students attain the best, become the best and get easily employed,” says Fr Eric Mathias SJ, the Director of the institution. The institution has a tie-up with “M/S Hyundai Motor India Limited” for MMV trade under which the students of this trade in addition to the main syllabus, undergo training as per the syllabus set by M/S Hyundai. At the end of the training, successful candidates are recruited by their dealerships. Another tie-up with M/S TATA Motors is unique in itself. Under this tie-up, the students are sent for hands-on job training at M/S Arvind Motors, where they work for 9 months and earn a stipend too. Tie-up proposals with many other leading companies like Godrej, Jaguar, Hindware, etc are in the pipeline.
The institution run by Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society (MJES) is committed for quality education. Constant up-gradation of infrastructure and equipment is carried out in line with technological advancements. Currently, the institution is being upgraded to match with the norms prescribed by the Quality Council of India (QCI). To facilitate all dimensional growth, extra-curricular activities are also given equal importance. Various activities are conducted throughout the year. Sports day, Talents day, annual day, etc are arranged and students are encouraged to participate, thus an effort is made to give an opportunity to every student to bring out his/her hidden talent. National festivals and other festivals are celebrated to foster the spirit of patriotism and unity in diversity.
‘Value education’ is a compulsory subject for all the trades. Regular gatherings are conducted where every student is given an opportunity to come to the stage. ‘Gathering’ is a unique programme where students are encouraged to come to the stage, speak in front of the mike, conduct programmes and exhibit their talents. Evaluation is done at the end and suggestions are given for the improvement. “Majority of the students those who come here wouldn’t have got the opportunity to come to the stage previously. We want to prepare our students to be the leaders in their respective fields. Confidence and public speaking skills are very important for being successful. Keeping this in mind, we encourage our students to win over the fear of public speaking and also develop in them organisational skills”, says Roshan Dsouza, Vice Principal.
Seminars are also conducted on Communication skills, entrepreneurship, personality development, etc. Free computer literacy classes are given to all students. Daily assembly and exercises are conducted to inculcate discipline. “Discipline and punctuality are very essential to succeed in life. These qualities are integral part of our training programme. This way we try to develop these qualities in students”, says Romius Dsouza, Training Officer. The institution is affiliated to National Council for Vocational training, New Delhi, Govt of India. The courses being offered are as follows:
1-year duration:
· Sanitary technology (Plumber)
· Welder
· Sewing Technology (C&S)
· Diesel Mechanic
· TATA certified technician
· Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA)
2-year duration:
· Electrician
· Electronic Mechanic
· Mechanic Air-conditioning & Refrigeration (MRAC)
· Mechanic Motor Vehicle (MMV)
Note: Courses are also available for the students who have failed in SSLC examinations.
Part-time courses are also offered which one can avail as per his/her convenience (4hrs/day):
Qualification Required:
Min. 8th Pass
Age: No limit
· Driver cum Mechanic -6 months
· 2-wheeler & 3-wheeler repair -5 months
· Repair & Overhauling of engine systems (Petrol & Diesel)- 6 months
· Auto body repair, denting & painting -6 months
· Basic automobile servicing 4 wheeler -5 months
· Fabrication- Arc & Gas welding – 7 months
· Repair & Maintenance of Central air-conditioning plant -5 months
· Re[pair & Maintenance of refrigerators -5 months
· Repair & Maintenance of Coolers -5 months
· Repair & Maintenance of window and Split A/C -5 months
· Fabrication Welder-Repair & Maintenance -5 months
· Domestic Electrician -6 months
· Electrical winders -6 months
· Computer Hardware assistant -5 months
· Basic Sewing Operator- Tailor -5 months
· Repair & Maintenance of Domestic Electronic Appliances -5 months
· Sanitary Technician -5 months
Some even come after graduation to join our courses because of unemployment. Once you attain the technical skills required by the industries, you get ample of employment opportunities in India as well as abroad. Quite a many of our students have risen to higher levels in very less time and are earning Rs 40,000-60,000/month. Some have even progressed to become entrepreneurs. Being a part of St Aloysius Institutions, the work culture revolves around the core values- Compassion, Communication, Collaboration, creativity and Conscience. Various initiatives are taken to instill these core values in students so that they become ‘men and women for others’ in the true sense. The institution is committed to its mission of empowering the rural youth. Last year 10 poor boys from Siddi community of Mundgod, a remote place in North Karnataka were given free education, hostel and food facilities. This year 4 Siddi boys are being taken care by the Management.
“We give preference to youth from rural areas and poor families. We would like to help more youth from the rural belts. But, ITI being a non-profit institution, this is possible only with the financial assistance from noble-hearted people”, says Fr Eric Mathias Sj. Old Student Association of the institution is very actively taking part in the welfare of the students. “What we are today is because of this great institution. It is our time to give back to the institution whatever we can”, says Naveen Rasquinha, the present President of this association. Recently, the Old student association reached out to help Nikhilesh-our old student for his medical treatment. “Our old students are the real brand ambassadors of our institution. Being associated with the old students and seeing their success is a gratifying experience”, says Alwyn Menezes, Junior Training Officer & In-charge of Old Student association.
No doubt, St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute has been a lighthouse for the youth in and around Mangaluru. With the best infrastructure facilities & committed team of experienced and dedicated faculty, the institution could very well be called as the ‘launching pad for the youth’ to enter into the world of employment and thus create a bright future. The institution gives the wings to the young aspirants to excel in life. As there are plenty of courses on offer, it would be prudent to select the course which suits one’s capabilities and interests.
Written by: Robin Vas, Junior Training Officer and Employment Cell in-charge, St Aloysius ITI