Government engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu are set to establish their own Centres of Excellence (CoE) for advanced manufacturing, in partnership with the MSME department and industry collaborators. This initiative, spearheaded by the higher education department, is designed to enhance the employability of students by equipping them with advanced manufacturing skills.
With an increasing number of global companies establishing manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu, this move aims to create a skilled workforce that meets industry demands. The CoEs will focus on training students in advanced manufacturing processes, thereby boosting employability, promoting research, fostering industry-institute collaboration, and encouraging innovation and startups within these institutions.
According to officials from the higher education department, the Tamil Nadu Centre Of Excellence For Advanced Manufacturing (TANCAM) will play a pivotal role in assisting colleges in setting up these CoEs on their campuses. TANCAM will offer the necessary guidance and support to students interested in pursuing careers in the manufacturing sector.
“Tamil Nadu is fortunate to be attracting companies from sectors such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and electric vehicles. To ensure that our youth benefit from these opportunities and secure employment, we need to develop the required manpower. The CoEs will offer specialized training in specific domains, and TANCAM will provide the guidance needed to create relevant courses,” an official from the higher education department explained.
In addition to this, the department launched the Earn While You Learn Diploma Programme last year, allowing students to gain employment during their studies. This initiative aims to increase enrollment in diploma courses. New courses, such as a diploma in digital manufacturing technologies, were introduced in the 2023-24 academic year across five government polytechnic colleges located in Jolarpettai, Uthangarai, Vanavaasi, Kadathur, and Kelamangalam.
