Coimbatore, December 29: IGNOU plans to increase the number of “community” colleges from the present 160 to 500 across the country in next two years, its Vice-Chancellor Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai said here today.
He was speaking after IGNOU launched its skill development programme through community colleges, at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Institute of Textile Management, here as part of bridging the gap in the skill levels currently prevailing in the apparel and garment industry.
As skilled labourers were below five per cent in labour-intensive industry like garment and construction, there was vast scope and potential for developing the skill level in apparel designing and manufacturing and make the garment industry globally competitive, Pillai said.
The National level community college concept was an alternative system of education where it facilitated skill development leading to employment, he said.
–PTI