Says Syed Amanulla, ‘National Brand Ambassador’ from Mysuru

As a general trend, pass-outs from education system do not take admission in ITIs as their first choice. They mostly end up in ITI after exhausting all other options for higher education. This is because the blue collar work is not respected and regarded in society. But there are many who have excelled professionally after passing ITI.

Meet A. Syed Amanulla, who passed ITI course in ‘Fitter’ trade in the year 1975 at his native, Kolar Gold Fields. He is presently serving as Principal-cum-Deputy Director of Government ITI, Srirangapatna. He was awarded ‘National Brand Ambassador of Vocational Training-2014’ in the Service Sector (Salaried Employee) by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, at a National-level Programme held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Oct.16, 2014 for his exceptional achievements and excellence in Vocational Training. He received the award from Alok Kumar, Director-General, Department of Employment and Training, New Delhi and was honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After passing ITI and getting a job, Amanulla did not stop his education. Along with his job, he completed Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and B.E, both with a first class by attending evening college. He is an example for the saying “Education has nothing to do with age” because at the age of 50, he did his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Throughout his education, he has been a topper and received many merit scholarships.

Amanulla is married to Shaheen. He has two children, who are married and well settled in Bangalore. Amanulla resides in Rajivnagar, Mysuru, with his mother and wife.

Star of Mysore caught up with this ‘Brand Ambassador’ and spoke to him regarding vocational training sector and his professional achievements. Excerpts…

by Arafat Ahmed Aizaz

SOM: What got you the ‘National Brand Ambassador of Vocational Training-2014’ award?

Amanulla: I have provided 100% placement to all my students who have passed ITI course. They are working in reputed firms and drawing high salaries. I am in good terms with companies and factories in India as well as abroad because of which they contact me to get ITI pass-outs for their firms. My students are highly skilled and sought after by the companies. I have consistently maintained pass percentage of 95% at Government ITI, Srirangapatna. I have personally met wealthy people and NGOs and made them to donate for poor meritorious students of Government ITI, Srirangapatna. Regarding my career success, academically I have grown from ITI-level to Master degree and professionally from Instructor to Deputy Director. Considering all these achievements, the Government has honoured me with the ‘National Brand Ambassador of Vocational Training-2014.’

SOM: Recently you were featured in Doordarshan Channel. Tell us about it.

Amanulla: Doordarshan TV channel crew had come all the way from Delhi to Mysuru to interview me on my achievements. The interview was telecast in DD’s ‘Hunarbaaz’ programme on Aug. 31, 2014.

SOM: What are your other achievements?

Amanulla: I was selected as Hajj Officer by Ministry of External Affairs during 2001-02 and 2005-06; I was appointed as Wakf Board Administrator in Hassan district. I was also honoured with “Eminent Engineer Award” by the Institution of Engineers (India) on Sept.15, 2013 during 46th Engineer’s Day. I have met Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at his office in the year 2006, when he was the President of India and apprised him about improving Vocational Training in India.

SOM: Do Vocational Training (ITI) pass-outs have better career opportunities?

Amanulla: Yes. Just by studying for two years after 10th, ITI pass-outs can get jobs in both Government and Private sectors. They can even establish their own Industries. ITI pass-outs get jobs quickly because of shortage of skilled labour in India. After ITI, along with earning through a full-time job during day, one can upgrade his qualification by pursuing courses such as diploma in Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering in evening colleges.

SOM: Even PU course pass-outs can get jobs. What advantage does ITI have over PUC (12th)?

Amanulla: Blue-collar job requirement for any industry is more compared to white-collar jobs. For example in a factory, there will be hundreds of workers who indulge in production but there will be few Administrative staff. Blue-collars’ salaries are high these days because there is shortage of workers of this class. So, ITI pass-outs have an edge over Pre-University Course (12th standard) pass-outs. And even promotion chances are more for blue-collar jobs.

SOM: Usually in Government ITIs, faculties are not punctual. You being the Principal-cum-Deputy Director of Government ITI, how do you check on their attendance and discipline?

Amanulla: They are Government employees and they can take their leave for which they are entitled. But I don’t spare the teachers who are lazy and those who are not punctual. I visit all the classes daily and take the feedback from students regarding classes and teachers. When a staff goes on leave, I engage the classes myself.

SOM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured you recently when you were awarded ‘National Brand Ambassador of Vocational Training-2014.’ What is Modi doing to improve Vocational training?

Amanulla: Narendra Modi has a good view for Vocational training. He is giving priority for the improvement of Vocational Training in India. Modi has said “ITIs are shishu mandir of technical education. Those who may have knowledge other than that of books, that of skills, must be respected. The talented among the ITI graduates must get new opportunities.” To fulfill ‘Make in India’ vision Modi believes in skill development among the youths in India.

SOM: Why are they calling ITI pass-outs as ITI graduates these days?

Amanulla: Western countries consider ITI pass-outs as ITI graduates. According to me, not only persons who have passed 10+2+3 is a graduate, but also those who pass ITI after 10th should be called ITI graduates in India hereafter because graduate means “a person who has successfully completed a course of study or training and acquired some skill.” Even Narendra Modi has called them as ‘ITI graduates’ in his speech at New Delhi recently.

SOM: Your message to students and parents?

Amanulla: China has improved because of skilled labour. India has shortage of skilled labour. I request the parents to admit their wards into ITI courses so that India can get more skilled labours and become a developed country soon. Vocational Training too has a bright future and more youth should opt for this stream.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Tuesday, November 04th, 2014