Karnal ITI establishes robotics skill centre, training lab to boost students’ employability

With an aim to provide its students practical knowledge, advanced technical skills and hands-on exposure to emerging technologies, the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Karnal, has established two labs – the Maruti Suzuki Advanced Training Lab and the ACTTS Robotics Skill Centre. The purpose behind these two labs is to enhance the employability of students and prepare them for the rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

The Maruti Suzuki Advanced Training Lab was inaugurated by Raj Kumar, Additional Director, Skill Development and Industrial Training Department, Haryana, and Sanjeev Kumar Sinha, Senior Vice-President, Maruti Suzuki India Limited on July 23. Developed with an investment of Rs 3 crore by Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the advanced laboratory is equipped with modern automotive systems, diagnostic tools and industry-standard training equipment.

The laboratory has been established to provide practical and industry-oriented training to students of motor mechanic vehicle (MMV), machinist, welder, fitter, turner, diesel mechanic, painter and tractor mechanic trades. The facility enables students to gain hands-on experience with the latest automobile technologies, bridging the gap between classroom learning and industrial requirements while improving their career opportunities in the automotive sector, said Rakesh Bhatia, Principal, ITI-Karnal.

The institute also established an ACTTS Robotics Skill Centre on August 4. The centre has been established with the support of the Haryana Skill Development Mission (HSDM). The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr Rajesh Goyal, Mission Director, Haryana Skill Development Mission, Manoj Bhardwaj, Deputy Director, Skill Development and Industrial Training Department, and Sunil Bundela, Managing Director, ACTTS.

The centre has been established to provide specialised training in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automation, industrial robotics and ‘Industry 4.0’ technologies. The centre has a training capacity of 120 trainees per batch, including 90 residential and 30 non-residential trainees. “The first batch has already commenced and each training programme will have a duration of around six months,” said Bhatia.

One of the unique features of the programme is that no training fee is charged from the trainees. Besides, free hostel accommodation and nutritious meals are provided to residential trainees throughout the training period, making the programme highly accessible to deserving youth from across the state. Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand also visited the centre and appreciated the institute’s efforts to provide world-class infrastructure and industry-linked training facilities.

“I recently completed my 12th in the medical stream and joined the robotics and AI course at the ACCTS Centre. These days, AI is everywhere, and I think robotics and AI are going to create a lot of new opportunities in the coming years. So, I decided to start learning these skills now instead of waiting,” said Yash Milan, a student.

Gurjeet, another student, echoed a similar sentiment, stating, “I enrolled myself in the robotic and AI course and it offered me a structured curriculum and practical sessions to help me build a strong foundation in robotics, programming, sensors, electronics and automation. Instead of only learning theory, we are encouraged to build, programme and test robots ourselves. The trainers are knowledgeable, supportive and always motivated us to think creatively and solve problems independently.”

“The course offers vast opportunities in fields such as AI, machine learning, industrial automation, space exploration, defence systems and smart healthcare solutions. With the rapid advancement of technology, the demand for skilled robotics professionals is continuously increasing across both government and private sectors. This field also opens doors for research, entrepreneurship and innovation-driven startups, allowing students to develop intelligent systems and automated solutions for real-world problems,” said Harsh, another student.

Nishant, another student, said, “I am a second-year student of the MMV trade. The Maruti Suzuki Advanced Lab has significantly enhanced our practical learning experience. Through hands-on training on modern vehicles, advanced tools and diagnostic equipment, we have gained valuable technical knowledge and practical skills. This training has also boosted our confidence in handling modern automobile technologies,”

he added.