Trainees from Govt ITIs in Kerala showcase projects at LEAP Entrepreneurs State Summit 2024

Thiruvananthapuram, June 13, 2024: Around 175 student trainees from Government ITIs across Kerala showcased their unique business projects for evaluation by experts at the two-day LEAP Entrepreneurs State Summit 2024, jointly organised by the Kerala State Industrial Training Department and Udhyam Learning Foundation, and supported by Amazon. The best projects, from among the 100 projects presented, were awarded at the summit. Udhyam Learning foundation is a not-for-profit organization based in Bangalore.
 
The two-day event, which began on June 12, witnessed interactive learning sessions on design thinking, role of finance, basics of marketing and brand management, communication and building self-confidence facilitated for the trainees. On June 13, the concluding day of the event, student trainees from the Kerala government-run ITIs pitched their projects for evaluation by the industry experts who were present. 
 
The best three business projects were announced at the valedictory function. Dr Veena N Madhavan, Director of training, Industrial Training Department was the chief guest for the closing ceremony.  
 
An Agarbatti Production Business Project by Athul Manoj and Harikrishnan J from Govt ITI Kalamasserry, Ernakulam, won the first place, while a Multi-Lock Compressing Soil Bricks Business Project by Sminurath P A, of Govt ITI Pallickathodu, Kottayam, came second. A Coconut Shell Craft Products Business Project by Abhiram M of Govt ITI Kuttikkol, Kasaragod bagged the third place. 
 
As many as four ITIs and 8 teachers were also honoured for their contribution towards engaging with the LEAP student-led curriculum and encouraging business projects by the trainees.  The top three business projects/teams will now attend the Sarvo Udhyam National Entrepreneurs’ Challenge at Delhi. Sarvo Udhyam is an alumni network of young entrepreneurs who were part of various state level programmes of Udhyam Learning Foundation across the country and are currently running businesses. The selected teams will be offered flight travel, food and accommodation to attend the event. The teams will vie for prizes worth Rs 10 lakh, which is offered as part of the Sarvo Udhyam National Entrepreneurs’ Challenge. 
 
Trainees who participated in the two-day event were able to interact with entrepreneurs, and learn about their entrepreneurship journey. The two-day event hosted various sessions by experts including Gopinath Muthukad, Executive Director, Different Art Centre; Lakshmi Menon, Social Entrepreneur, Pureliving; Dileep Varkey, Mind Power Trainer, Active Minds; Dr Manoj A S, Head-Planning, Competency Management & Innovation, ICT Academy of Skills; Arun J S, Assistant Professor, Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology; Jijiosh, CEO, Techazel media; Sajan S Nadhan of Grant Ideas; Manuf Khan and Anantha Krishnan, Managing Partners, Explore World; Anna Mariam, Founder, Anna Bakes; and others.
 
The two-day programme organised at the Agricultural Co-operative Staff Training Institute (ACSTI), and Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, aimed at bringing about an impactful change in trainees by instilling mindset shifts by providing them autonomy and ownership in learning activities and engagement. Efforts are on to create 1000 student entrepreneurs from Kerala government ITIs along with achieving entrepreneurial mindsets and competency shifts among the trainees through the entrepreneurial mindset curriculum. LEAP had rolled out the programme in 104 government-run ITIs as a student-led model from 2022-23.