As part of a national push to upgrade and modernize vocational training facilities, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, in collaboration with the Skill Development & Technical Education Department, Government of Odisha, yesterday organized a Consultative Workshop on the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation at the World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar.

The workshop discussed the vision, structure, and operational framework of the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation and gathered perspectives from industry, academia, and training institutions to ensure alignment with evolving workforce needs.

Highlighting the scheme’s role in empowering India’s youth through high-quality, market-relevant skills, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, said, “The National Scheme for ITI Upgradation is not just about modernizing infrastructure—it is about reimagining the very DNA of vocational training in India. Through the Hub-and-Spoke model, industry-led governance, and global-standard training, we aim to make ITIs the epicentres of innovation, employability, and entrepreneurship. Odisha, with its robust industrial base and new National Centre of Excellence, is uniquely positioned to lead this change and inspire the rest of the country. This is not just about preparing youth for today’s jobs—it is about empowering them to lead in the economy of the future.”

The workshop featured an insightful presentation on Odisha’s ITI journey, highlighting the state’s significant strides in technical education, infrastructure upgrades, and industry partnerships. It outlined Odisha’s vision, readiness, and strategic plans for effectively implementing the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, positioning the state as a frontrunner in modern skill development.

Furthermore, industry representatives shared insights on aligning ITI training with future workforce demands, while principals and faculty from technical institutions provided ground-level perspectives, valuable inputs and suggestions. Key recommendations focused on curriculum upgradation to meet global standards and industry needs, mentoring support for the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)-led model, enhanced training-of-trainers initiatives, adoption of hybrid training modes, promotion of skill competitions, specialized training for the defence sector, integration of AI in medicine and agriculture, and strengthening apprenticeship opportunities.

Given Odisha’s rich mineral resources and its prominent position in India’s mining industry, stakeholders emphasized the need for targeted skilling programmes to meet the specialized workforce demands of this sector. They highlighted how such initiatives would address local industry requirements and create employment opportunities for youth in high-value mining operations and allied industries.

On 7th May 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, with an outlay of INR 60,000 crore over five years to upgrade 1,000 ITIs across the country. It aims to align vocational education with global quality standards, advanced pedagogy, and real industry needs.

Funded through a tripartite model—₹30,000 crore from the Centre, ₹20,000 crore from States, and ₹10,000 crore from Industry (including CSR)—the scheme will modernize 1,000 ITIs, including 200 Hub ITIs with cutting-edge labs, innovation centres, and training-of-trainers (ToT) facilities, and 800 Spoke ITIs to ensure wider reach and quality parity. Additionally, five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) will be upgraded to host National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in collaboration with global partners, anchoring high-end skilling, curriculum innovation, and capacity building.

The scheme focuses on deep industry collaboration, with the creation of SPVs to drive the governance, management, and operations of each ITI cluster. SPVs will be co-owned by the Central Government, State Governments, and Anchor Industry Partners. The upgraded clusters will deliver high-quality, industry-aligned, and outcome-oriented training, making skill development aspirational and employment-enabling for India’s youth.

The workshop was graced by Ms. Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE; Ms. Rashmita Panda, Director, Skill Development-cum-Employment-cum-CEO, World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar; Shri. Chakravarthi Singh Rathore, Director, Technical Education & Training, Government of Odisha; and Shri. Pinaki Pattnaik, Additional Secretary, SD & TE cum COO, World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar. It also witnessed the presence of industry leaders and academia from various organizations, including CTTC, CIPET, NTTF, Adani Ports, Tata Strive, Phillips Education, Arseler Mittal and Nippon Steel, CII, Festo India, Automobile Doctor India, DMG MORI, IG Drones, and Rourkela Steel Plant.

With its collaborative approach and strong industry linkages, the Scheme is poised to reshape India’s vocational training landscape, enhance employability, and position the nation’s workforce for the jobs of the future. This workshop reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating globally competitive skill hubs and encouraged industries to actively participate as Anchor Industry Partners to ensure long-term success.

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(Release ID: 2155944)