NTTF campusThalassery in Kannur is famous for three Cs: cuisine, circus and cricket. Tucked away in the municipality is Nettur, a village that would have been a non-descript one, but for an institute.
The institute, started in 1959 with Swiss cooperation, has carved out a niche space in the global tool-making scenario, with such firms roping in its students.
The Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) is an offshoot of Indo-Swiss friendship that dates back to 1947. An admission to the institute is a dream for many a school student, since completing the course successfully provides an assured ticket to employment.
More than offering a course, the institute’s strength is in its years of experience and specific programmes that prepare students for the global job market.
NTTF currently has 21 branches across the country.
A brief history
The institute was founded with an aim to provide employment opportunities to Indian youth. Floated initially under the stewardship of the Church of South India, it was originally known as the CSI Technical Training Centre, with Alfred Frischknecht as the first Principal.
Though the centre became NTTF in 1963, the Foundation was helmed by CSI representatives till the 1980s. The institute’s success in Thalassery prompted it to expand its footprint, and the Foundation began new centres at Vellore and Dharwad. Later, it shifted its headquarters to Bengaluru, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.
The success story
The Foundation’s initial focus was on Precision Tool Making, but later it incorporated Mechatronics (technology that combines electronics and mechanical engineering) and Computer Engineering. As time passed by, the number of students wishing to join the institute swelled. The institute which started in Thalassery with 34 students, increased the intake to 40, which continued till 2000. Currently, the Foundation’s various centres have a total of 3,500 students pursuing Tool and Dye-making course alone.
Principal R. Ayyappan of the Foundation’s Thalassery centre guaranteed that 95% of the students would find employment on completion of the course. It cannot achieve 100% placement for its students since at least 5% would be pursuing higher education.
The principal’s claim sounds incredible. As if he had understood it, he said more that NTTF-ites are employed in Australia alone. Among the 400 successful students last year, 370 have been employed, a confident Ayyappan added with a smile.
Besides the centre at Thalassery, the Foundation has associate centres with the cooperation of leading firms such as Keltron at Malappuram, Kuttipuram and Vadakkancherry in Kerala. It has similar centres at Jamshedpur and Gopalpuram, in association with Tata.
Admission process
Any student who has cleared Standard X (those who are awaiting results too) can apply. The maximum age limit is 21. Admission to the centres is based on an entrance test in English, which has a duration of 1.5 hours. The computerised test would examine the aspirant’s knowledge in Science, Mathematics and Aptitude. Those from rural areas have reservation up to 25%, and 30% of seats have been set aside for girls.
Aspirants can attend the entrance test at any of the NTTF centres in Bengaluru. Those from poor families can avail scholarships as loan, which require them to sign a bond, promising to work—after the course—for two years for a salary prescribed under the NTTF’s terms and conditions. Banks too provide education loans to students. Certificates are awarded to successful students.
Course method
NTTF follows modern educational methods, employing tabs and computers, which help in exchanging study materials among centres. Instructors are trained at the Dharwad Teachers Training Centre.
The Thalassery centre offers three diploma courses, in Tools and Dye-making, Computer Engineering and Mechatronics. Each course is of three-year duration.
Those students opting for Diploma in Tool and Dye-making have to undergo training for a year.
The centre also offers one-year courses in Tool Designing, Post Diploma and Machinist Certificate Programme.
Industrialists are the directors of the institute. N Raghuraman is currently the Managing Director of the ISO 9001-certified institute which has won many laurels.
