Thrissur: Around 4500 seats remain vacant in 114 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) across the state, even as thousands of applicants await admissions. The admissions to the ITIs came to a close on August 31. However, around 20 per cent of the seats still remain unfilled allegedly due to unscientific admission procedures. 

As per reports, although applications are accepted via online, there is no centralised allotment method followed for ITI admissions. As a result, every institution has to facilitate admission procedures on their own, thereby failing to complete the process in a timely manner. 

At present, of the total 22928 government ITI seats across the state, only 18450 have been filled. In Malappuram, students have been admitted to 606 seats out of the total 1036 (58 per cent) seats, while the rest remain vacant. Further, more than 25 per cent seats remain unfilled in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Wayanad districts. 

The academic affairs of the ITIs are carried out under the Union Ministry of Education, which had directed to finish the admission processes by August 31. Due to lack of enough time, spot admissions were also conducted in an attempt to fill the seats, teachers said. 

Meanwhile, the ITIs are getting more grants and funds on account of the rising emphasis on vocational education. With this, the faculty and facilities of government ITIs in the state are being improved too. In spite of this, students are forced to secure admission in private institutions due to admission lapses. 

As per reports, nearly one thousand private ITIs operate in the state collecting huge sum as fees from students. In Kerala, the ITIs come under the Ministry of Labour and Skills. If more time is permitted to carry out the admission procedures, then around 4500 more students can secure government seats. 

Furthermore, an increase in the number of vacant seats in the state is likely to affect the availability of central funds too.