Bhubaneswar, Feb. 17: The state government has decided to set up an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) exclusively for persons with disabilities at Barang in Cuttack.

This special ITI will be the first-of-its-kind in the state, with residential facilities and will offer full-time courses in 11 trades.

A budget of Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned towards construction of the proposed institute. The Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (Idco) has been entrusted with carrying out the construction work. The building will be completely disabled-friendly, with features such as sliding doors, ramps and easy-to-decipher information on the campus.

Differently-abled students, including candidates with visual disability (total and partial) hearing and speech impairment, will be imparted training in disciplines approved by the National Council for Vocational Training.

The ITI, which is expected to become operational from the next academic year, will have three trades in non-engineering segment — computer training, cutting and sewing and front office management.

Subsequently, trades, including computer operations, draftsman, sewing, front-office management, plumbing, motor vehicle repair and electrician and fitter will be introduced. “We will include more trades considering the market situation and demands of students,” said a senior official of the technical education department.

“Teachers who will be engaged in training the students will themselves undergo special training. The course modules will be altered according to requirement in consultation with experts,” said the official.

At present, the department is working out the fee structure, stipends, lodging and boarding charges, post-training placement, recruitment of trainers and welfare schemes for the students of the institute.