Tata Technologies and the Assam government have signed an agreement to transform polytechnics and ITIs into centres of excellence.

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• May 11, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E"> Digital
Desk: Tata Technologies Ltd, a global engineering and product development
digital services firm, announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with the
Assam government to transform 34 state polytechnics and 43 Industrial Training
Institutes (ITIs) into futuristic Centres of Excellence (CoEs) at a cost of Rs
2,390 crore.

"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E">Tata Technologies said in a statement that it
has signed a 10-year Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Assam government
for this purpose. Following their upgrade, these COEs will not only meet the
advanced skill needs of students aligned to Assam's core sectors, but will also
serve as a technological and industrial centre for MSMEs and encourage
entrepreneurship.

"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E">It stated that the overall proposed investment
in this project will be around Rs 2,390 crore. Subramanian Ramadorai, Chairman
of Tata Technologies, commented on the collaboration, saying that technology is
fast advancing and that competent labour is in limited supply.

"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E">To keep up with these changing technical
trends and make the lateral move toward Industry 4.0-powered smart company
operations, it's critical to upgrade the country's state polytechnics and ITIs
and teach the youth in the latest technologies.

"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E">"The updated COEs will provide a wide
range of courses to upskill Assamese youth in many conventional and new age
industries, empowering the northeast region of India, which is a critical
emphasis for the Tata Group," he added.

"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E">"Through this collaboration with the
Assam government, we will leverage our product engineering expertise and manufacturing
domain knowledge to create future-ready courseware and training platform that
allows students at polytechnics and ITIs to develop their skill sets and
capabilities in line with Industry 4.0 requirements and be part of the rapidly
transforming ecosystem," said Warren Harris, Managing Director and CEO of
Tata Technologies.

"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E">"The technology upgradation of
polytechnic and ITIs will lead to better employment opportunities for the local
youth and transform the state of Assam into a potential investment destination
for all those industry players keen on embracing Industry 4.0 and smart
technologies for manufacturing," the statement said, quoting Assam Chief
Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E">This programme would also provide a lucrative
platform for all those working in industries that are at the heart of Assam's
occupational strength, such as tea processing, food processing, handicrafts,
and textiles, to upgrade their skill sets and employment opportunities in line
with Industry 4.0-relevant smart operations in the future, according to Sarma.

"Times New Roman";color:#2E2E2E">Additive manufacturing (3D printing), electric
vehicle product design and development, design for artisans and handicrafts,
modern automotive maintenance repair and overhaul, battery electric vehicle
training, IoT and digital instrumentation, advanced manufacturing and
prototyping, industrial robotics with arc welding, AI-based virtual welding and
painting are among the technical courses covered by the COEs.

To help Assam's businesses, it would also upskill youth in
traditional Assamese sectors such as tea processing, food processing,
handicrafts, and textiles, according to the company.