Coimbatore: The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) has urged chief minister M K Stalin to establish a Skill Development University to support MSMEs in recruiting adequately skilled manpower.
In a memorandum to the chief minister, CODISSIA president M Karthikeyan cited the Coimbatore Master Plan 2041 draft and noted that many existing industrial lands are classified as agricultural and residential, which needs revision according to the 1994 master plan.
"The new master plan should be developed with input from all stakeholders, including industry and the public. We request that the release of the revised master plan be expedited to address the current and future needs of the industries," the memorandum stated.
CODISSIA also proposed the establishment of a Skill Development University to ensure MSMEs have access to manpower with the required skills.
The association requested that the state govt allocate 90% of funds for skill development and assist in identifying and mobilising candidates with minimum education levels, such as those who completed the 10th grade or are school dropouts, for skill training.
CODISSIA further suggested creating a memorandum of understanding (MoU) among the rural development department, the district industries centre, and relevant associations to develop a Skill Development Centre to train rural labourers. This initiative would help MSMEs absorb a trained rural workforce.
CODISSIA recommended that stipends and accommodation be provided during the one-year training period to train unskilled labourers.
"To achieve self-reliance, an appropriate mechanism for skilling the existing workforce within the state must be urgently implemented through a phased approach. Existing schemes should be revisited, and new schemes should be devised. We are eager to collaborate with the govt in this regard," Karthikeyan stated.