Hyderabad: SHAKTI, Mines and Geology Minister Dr. G. Vivek Venkatswamy said Telangana Advanced Technology Centres would train young people in modern skills and connect them with jobs in India and abroad.
He said the government wanted to support students from training through placement. Therefore, youth would not have to struggle for employment after completing their courses.
The Minister laid the foundation stone for a new Advanced Technology Centre building at Rudrangi in the Vemulawada Assembly constituency on Tuesday. He later addressed a public meeting at the venue.
Vivek said Artificial Intelligence, electric vehicles, robotics and drones had rapidly changed the nature of employment. As a result, the government had planned modern training programmes that matched emerging industry requirements.
The State was setting up 120 Advanced Technology Centres across 119 Assembly constituencies. These centres would replace outdated courses with advanced, industry-oriented training.
Telangana Advanced Technology Centres to offer modern courses
The Minister said the government wanted every centre to prepare students for future employment. Accordingly, the new institutions would focus on practical skills required by modern industries.
He also highlighted the growing use of technology in agriculture. Therefore, he directed Director of Employment and Training Kanti Wesley to examine a new advanced agriculture technology course for Rudrangi.
Vivek asked officials to consult the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics while designing the course. He said such consultations could help align the programme with changing agricultural needs.
The Minister said the government was providing a monthly stipend of ₹2,000 to students studying in ITIs and Advanced Technology Centres. He said the support would help prevent students from leaving their courses because of financial hardship.
He stressed that the government’s role did not end with classroom training. Instead, it would continue helping students until they secured jobs.
Vivek alleged that the previous government had neglected Industrial Training Institutes. He said it had failed to improve infrastructure and training facilities. However, he said the Congress government had transformed ITIs into Advanced Technology Centres. The new model aimed to give youth modern and industry-relevant skills.
Telangana Advanced Technology Centres linked to overseas placements
The Minister said the Telangana Overseas Manpower Company had prepared a dedicated strategy for overseas employment. TOMCOM would connect trained youth with international job opportunities.
He said Germany, Japan and several other countries needed nurses, electricians, caregivers and other skilled workers. Therefore, trained candidates could access well-paying jobs abroad.
Vivek announced a German language training proposal for Rudrangi. He said the government would send a trainer if officials identified 100 eligible youth from the area.
After the candidates completed language training, TOMCOM would help them secure overseas placements. The agency would also guide them through the employment process.
The Minister asked Government Whip and Vemulawada MLA Adi Srinivas to mobilise suitable candidates. He also directed officials to hold an overseas employment awareness programme through TOMCOM as early as the following week.
Vivek said 100 candidates had already started German language training at Mandamarri. He added that language skills could significantly improve employment prospects.
According to the Minister, skilled youth with language proficiency could earn more than ₹2 lakh per month in Germany and Japan. Meanwhile, the government was exploring more job opportunities in Japan.
He said the overseas placement initiative formed part of a larger employment ecosystem. It would combine skill training, language education, placement support and international recruitment.
Minister criticises previous government over Kaleshwaram
Vivek also criticised the previous government over the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. He said the original Pranahita-Chevella project had relied more heavily on gravity-based irrigation. The project was conceived during the united Andhra Pradesh period under the leadership of late Kaka Venkataswamy. Its estimated cost stood at ₹36,000 crore.
The Minister said authorities had already completed works worth nearly ₹11,000 crore under the original plan. However, he alleged that the previous government redesigned it as the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.
According to Vivek, the redesign sharply increased construction costs. It also created a major recurring electricity burden because the project depended on large-scale pumping. He questioned why the previous government had moved away from gravity-based irrigation. He said the pumping system consumed large amounts of power.
The additional electricity expenditure ran into thousands of crores, he alleged. Ultimately, he said, the people of Telangana had to bear that burden. Vivek also referred to structural problems reported at the barrages. He alleged that attempts continued to mislead the public even after those issues emerged.
Adi Srinivas praised for constituency development
The Minister praised Government Whip and Vemulawada MLA Adi Srinivas for his commitment to constituency development. He said the MLA consistently approached the government with new proposals.
Vivek said Adi Srinivas remained focused on addressing public problems. He added that the MLA regularly sought approvals for development works. “Every time I see Adi Srinivas in the Assembly, he carries nearly ten proposals seeking approvals for development works,” Vivek said.
He said Adi Srinivas had remained among the people despite previous electoral defeats. The MLA had continued to understand local problems and work with residents, he added. The Minister said Adi Srinivas wanted to transform Vemulawada into one of Telangana’s leading constituencies. He described that commitment as commendable.
Vivek said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had recognised the MLA’s work by appointing him Government Whip. He also expressed hope that Adi Srinivas would receive greater responsibilities in the future.
Telangana Advanced Technology Centres support wider development plan
The Minister announced that the government was establishing an Integrated School in the Vemulawada constituency. The project carried an estimated cost of ₹200 crore. He said the government was also strengthening healthcare infrastructure. The objective was to prevent education and medical treatment from becoming a financial burden on poor families.
Vivek highlighted several major welfare schemes. These included free bus travel for women and free electricity up to 200 units. He also mentioned the Indiramma Housing Scheme and the distribution of fine rice. According to him, those programmes formed part of the government’s wider social support agenda.
The Minister referred to a recent Skill Development meeting in New Delhi. He said Telangana had presented its Advanced Technology Centre model before the Union Government. According to Vivek, the model received a positive response. He said the Union Ministry of Skill Development had also constituted a special committee.
The committee would design new skill courses for implementation across the country. Vivek said the Union Government had entrusted him with responsibilities in that initiative. He added that Telangana had secured three clusters under the PM SETU Scheme. The development reflected the State’s leadership in skill training, he said.
Each cluster was expected to receive nearly ₹200 crore in funding. Furthermore, the government was trying to secure more clusters for Telangana.
Vivek said the government’s objective was to provide quality education, advanced training and meaningful employment. He said Telangana Advanced Technology Centres would help create a highly skilled workforce.
The centres would also connect youth with jobs within India and overseas. Therefore, he urged students to use the opportunities and build successful careers. Government Whip and Vemulawada MLA Adi Srinivas attended the programme. Rajanna Sircilla District Collector Garima Agrawal also participated.
DET and TOMCOM Director Kanti Wesley, police officials and public representatives were present. Officials from various departments, students and local youth also attended the event.