Mumbai: Avdhut Pawar, 23, a govt ITI pass-out, is all set to join a manufacturing firm in Kremmen, Germany, in the coming weeks. Equipped with a certificate in machinist trade and a language programme facilitated by the state govt, Pawar is among the second batch of students heading to the European country as part of the state’s initiative to boost international mobility among ITI students. Umesh Gawand, who has a certificate in an electrician course, will be joining a manufacturing firm in Fukuoka, Japan. Another batch of 45 students trained as solar technicians have already gone to Saudi Arabia through a collaborative project. Efforts are also on to mobilise trained workforce for the construction sector in Israel. Their packages range from a lakh rupees per month to Rs 29 lakh per annum in Indian currency. While Pawar will be placed for a package of Rs 29 lakh pa for a full-time job, his friend will be going there for a dual study programme, combining vocational training with practical experience. Even with local taxes and expenses, Pawar claimed that his income would go up significantly. Son of a farmer, Gawand, said that he was earning merely Rs 14,000 as a maintenance person. “An engineering degree also does not guarantee a job now. I never imagined getting international exposure with an ITI certificate. My income would go up by at least five to six times. Since we will be sharing accommodation provided at subsidised rates by the firm, our expenses will be minimal,” said Gawand.“There have been instances of international placement agencies recruiting from ITIs in the past, but the efforts were scattered. With the state govt facilitating this mobility, it is now more structured, collaborative and it is also better for the social and emotional well-being of students as they are going in groups,” said Nidhi Choudhari, commissioner, skill development. While the students pay for the processing charges and for the language training courses, the state govt is facilitating these through collaborations with 27 placement agencies. “We are enlisting companies that are taking care of the visas, documentation, and accommodation among other things,” said Choudhari.She added that there is shortage of skilled manpower in Germany, Japan, Israel, Middle East, Western Europe, Australia among others, and that the state is trying to tap these countries for collaborations. In the last few months, the department has made extensive efforts to collaborate with NSDC International, Ministry of External Affairs approved recruitment agencies, chambers of commerce of foreign countries to increase international mobility of skilled manpower, said Choudhari.The state is in the process of setting up six Maharashtra international Centres in ITIs or in technical schools in nodal districts. The programme was launched by minister of skills, employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, Mangal Prabhat Lodha in September last year.