Diploma from Polytechnics gives early job start; Upward Mobility to an Engineering Degree
The AICTE allows a diploma holder from Polytechnics to get admission in a BE or BTech discipline of their choice directly into second year irrespective of any specialisation pursued in the diploma program.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi yesterday dedicated the new Parliament House to the nation. Prime Minister during his speech stated that 60,000 shramiks were given employment during construction of the Parliament. The construction which last over two years saw hundreds of engineers, thousands of labourers working hard to create the modern mega structure.
Among these there was an alumnus of one of the leading and oldest polytechnics in the country, Thiagarajar Polytechnic. M Roselin, an alumnus of Civil Engineering 2020 batch, who joined at TATA Projects in 2020 successfully handled her assignment at the new Parliament building project at New Delhi as a Planning Engineer before moving to TATA Projects, Chennai.
“Polytechnic Diplomas Open Pathways to Engineering Degree,” says by Dr V Karthikeyan, Principal, Thiagarajar Polytechnic College, Salem. Principal Karthikeyan, has been leading the Thiagarajar Polytechnic College, for several years has helped it earn the status of a mentor institution to other 3500 polytechnics from CII-AICTE.
After completing 10+2 students looking for B.Tech courses often enrol in a substandard engineering college to get the degree. Dr Karthikeyan talks about the advantages of enrolling for a Diploma program post Class X and start earning by the time their peers in engineering college have just finished year one.
The Polytechnic students have an opportunity to move to an engineering college to pursue a BE/BTech program in a specialisation of their choice. Scores of merit cum scholarships from AICTE, government and industry help students from different social classes pay for their fees.
A good grounding in a Polytechnic can take students places—both as entrepreneurs as well as high tech and managerial careers in industry.
Sharing examples, Dr Karthikeyan says two Thiagarajar Polytechnic classmates from Civil Engineering 2016 batch -- R Saravanakumar and S Gowtham – joined L&T. The duo worked on India’s first high-speed rail line – Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor – to connect India's financial hub with the capital of Gujarat. The duo created twin records of laying the -- longest stretch of 112.5 km -- and laying the largest quantity of bituminous concrete -- 51,896 MT -- in just 100 hours. Now, they work as Assistant Managers at L&T, Mumbai.
N Mohanbabu, Civil Engineering Diploma holder - Class of 2016 - worked on the Mauritius Metro Project while working with the Mauritius Light Rail Transit System. Yet another Civil Engineering diploma holder from Class of 2015 S Nagarajan is part of the L&T team currently working on the Ahmedabad Metro project.
Choosing the right program at a good institute for higher studies invariably puts students and parents in a dilemma, leading to stress for both. While there are myriad options to look at – engineering, architecture, medicine, nursing, law, arts, science, commerce among others – post Class XII, a polytechnic diploma opens a smart pathway for access to technical education right after Class X because a 3-year Diploma holder can start earning while their peers following arts, commerce, science have finished first year of the 3-year program. And their peers following the engineering program—BE or BTech program—have just moved directly to second year.
The AICTE allows a diploma holder from Polytechnics to get admission in a BE or BTech discipline of their choice directly into second year irrespective of any specialisation pursued in the diploma program.
Some of the reputed polytechnic colleges offer core branches of Engineering: Civil, Mechanical, Production, Electrical and Electronics and Textiles. Progressive polytechnics offer programs in newer disciplines like Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Architecture and Agricultural Technology also.
Mastering Engineering Subjects Early
Diploma holders deciding to join the direct second year of a BE or BTech program have an edge over those who enrolled in BE or BTech after Class XII as during the three years of the diploma program they are taught engineering fundamentals as well as advanced engineering subjects.
The Central and State Governments are also encouraging students to take up skill-development courses. Many States have allocated a substantial budget for upogradation of Polytechnics, with the Tamil Nadu government designing the "Naan Mudhalvan" scheme for skill development where diploma students can acquire additional skills related to their field. For example, the Civil Engineering diploma students can enhance their employability by picking up Mechanical Electrical Plumbing (MEP) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) skills.
Dual certifications in distinct disciplines
When a diploma holder enrols for a BE or BTech (lateral entry) in the second year in a discipline of her choice, she has the choice to pick a discipline that can be different from the discipline she earned her diploma. Thus, obtaining a degree in engineering in a different discipline after a polytechnic diploma helps students to gain dual certifications in two distinct disciplines.
There are numerous examples of Polytechnic Diploma holders who take up a job in the industry, earn for a few years to meet their financial commitments, and then complete a BE or BTech program successfully.
Ample Scholarships, Internships Opportunities
Access to diploma programs is facilitated by a range of scholarships and financial aid available under central and state government schemes. For example, the 66-year-old Thiagarajar Polytechnic College in Salem through its linkage with several employers has established corporate scholarships in addition to interest free loans payable post- employment.
Scholarships for girls
The AICTE offers Pragati Scholarships to girl students pursuing engineering diploma or degree programs valued at Rs 50,000 for each year of study to promote women to join engineering stream.
Mando Automotive India Limited awarded the ‘Medhavi scholarship’ of Rs 45,000 each, to 51 female students of Thiagarajar Polytechnic totalling Rs 23 lakh in 2022.
Scholarships for Differently Abled
The AICTE-Saksham Scholarships of Rs 50,000 per year is offered to differently abled students pursuing technical education.
Tamil Nadu Government Scholarships
The Tamil Nadu Government gives Rs 1,000 per month to girl students joining diploma programs from the government schools under the Tamil Nadu Pudumai Penn Scheme 2023.
In addition, the Government of Tamil Nadu gives scholarships to Backward, Most Backward, Adi Dravidiar (SC) and Scheduled Tribe students to ease access to higher education.
Scholarships by Industry and Alumni
Many industrial houses and generous alumni offer merit-cum-means scholarships. For example, handsome scholarships from Titan, JSW, KC Mahindra, Siemens, Proultima Engineering Solutions and Seetha Valliappa Knowledge Bank are available to the students of Thiagarajar Polytechnic College.
Nature of Placements
He says: “I am often asked about the nature of jobs, the names of key recruiters and the salary levels commanded by the Polytechnic diploma holders. Polytechnic pass outs are absorbed by armed and paramilitary jobs in the Indian Air force (Group-X), Navy (MR/NMR and Chargeman, Coastguard Yantrik, Army General Duty, Army Tradesman, Territorial Army, DRDO, CISF, BSF and CRPF.”
Candidates from Civil Engineering and Architecture are hired by L&T, Tata Projects, Harris Rebar, Vee Technologies, Cads Software, Revit Architecture, RebarCAD, among others.
Diploma holders from Mechanical, Production, Mechatronics find jobs with Ashok Leyland, Aditya Birla, Daimler, UNO Minda etc.
Choosing the Right Polytechnic
Having decided to enrol for a 3-year Diploma program the next big decision is to join the right polytechnic. Even though all the polytechnics follow the same curriculum, the edge that the students gain depends on how well-equipped the laboratories are, what are the opportunities for projects and internships. These two inputs play a critical role in preparing highly skilled and employable students.
The frequency and quality of engagement between the individual polytechnic and the industry within and outside the state goes a long way in enhancing the employability of its students. The pride that the institution builds among its alumni too plays a role in influencing their own enterprises or employers coming back to the institution to recruit.
*Dr V Karthikeyan, Principal, Thiagarajar Polytechnic College, Salem that has the status of a mentor institution to other 3500 polytechnics from CII-AICTE.
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.