Two leading groups of industries joined hands to set up a textile technical training institute in the city. The PSG-SIMA Textile Technical Training Institute, the plaque for which was unveiled by union textile minister K Sambasiva Rao today, would offer a two-year programme for spinning technicians, textile mechatronics and weaving technicians, L Gopalakrishnan, Managing Trustee, PSG Institutions said.

The training program has been designed based on the industry demand in various segments and emphasis will be on measurable outcomes, wherein it would be ensured that all successful trainees are certified by empanelled certification agency.

It will have short, medium and long-term courses for spinning and weaving technicians, electricians, maintenance supervisors, electrical supervisors and senior level executives in the area of mechanical, electrical and electronics and maintenance, including air engineering, he said in a release.

The programme is aimed at addressing shortage of trained manpower and to tap the huge employment potential of the sector to achieve the aim of inclusive growth through economic empowerment, he said.

While PSG Institutions provided the land, building and other infrastructure, estimated at around Rs four crore, city based leading textile machinery manufacturers Lakshmi Machine Works donated the entire range of spinning machinery worth Rs two crore.

SIMA (Southern India Mills' Association) will provide the technical training know how and coordinate with members mills and arrange for sponsoring trainees to various courses run by the institute.

Stating that there is a serious gap between training needs of various segments of textile industry and that given by the existing training institute in terms of volume and course content, the main objective of the institute was to provide trained manpower to the industry with special emphasis on advanced machinery and production methodology.

The textile sector is the second largest employer after agriculture.