Berhampur, March 1: Youngsters busy eking out a living during the day can now attend evening classes at the government-run Industrial Training Institute here.

According to officials at the ITI, this is the first such institute in the state to run classes in the evening.

“Several newspaper hawkers and youngsters who work during the day and have discontinued their studies to earn their livelihood have been inquiring regularly about the possibilities of their learning a different trade at our institute,” said principal of the ITI, Rajat Kumar Panigrahi. “Ours is the first government-run Industrial Training Institute in the state to run evening classes. The response has been very good,” he added. A new hostel for students who have joined evening classes has also been opened.

Seventy-four students have taken admission in four disciplines offered at the ITI, including turner (16), painting (21), welding (16) and moulding (21).

The director general of employment and training of the central government has accorded sanction to expand the intake capacity in evening class for other subjects and 10 more trades are in the pipeline, Panigrahi said.

Another 240 students will be admitted to the evening classes in June. They will enroll for various trades including fitter, electrician, electronics, machinist and motor mechanics for which classes will be held from July. Another four trades — cutting and sewing, survey and wiremen — will also be started.