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BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 13, 2025
In a major step towards modernizing India’s vocational training ecosystem, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, in partnership with the Skill Development & Technical Education Department, Government of Odisha, convened a Consultative Workshop on the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation at the World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar.
The workshop served as a platform to present the scheme’s vision, structure, and operational framework, while gathering perspectives from industry leaders, academia, and training institutions to ensure alignment with evolving workforce needs.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the initiative, 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 strong industrial base and the 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 event featured a detailed presentation on Odisha’s progress in technical education, infrastructure enhancement, and industry collaborations, underscoring the state’s readiness to be a frontrunner in implementing the scheme. Industry representatives shared recommendations for aligning ITI training with future workforce demands, while principals and faculty offered ground-level insights. Key suggestions included curriculum upgradation to global standards, mentoring support for the SPV-led model, enhanced trainer development, hybrid training delivery, promotion of skill competitions, specialized defence sector training, integration of AI in healthcare and agriculture, and expanded apprenticeship opportunities.
Given Odisha’s abundant mineral resources and its key role in India’s mining sector, stakeholders called for targeted skilling programmes to address the specialized manpower needs of mining and allied industries, ensuring both local employment and sectoral growth.
Approved by the Union Cabinet on May 7, 2025, the ₹60,000 crore National Scheme for ITI Upgradation aims to revamp 1,000 ITIs nationwide over five years. 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 establish 200 Hub ITIs equipped with cutting-edge labs, innovation centres, and training-of-trainers (ToT) facilities, alongside 800 Spoke ITIs to ensure quality parity. Additionally, five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) will be upgraded into National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in collaboration with global partners, driving high-end skilling, curriculum innovation, and capacity building.
A core feature of the scheme is the creation of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to manage each ITI cluster, co-owned by the Central Government, State Governments, and Anchor Industry Partners. These clusters will deliver industry-aligned, outcome-driven training, making skill development both aspirational and employment-focused.
The workshop was attended by Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE; Rashmita Panda, Director, Skill Development-cum-Employment-cum-CEO, World Skill Center; Chakravarthi Singh Rathore, Director, Technical Education & Training, Government of Odisha; and Pinaki Pattnaik, Additional Secretary, SD & TE-cum-COO, World Skill Center. Industry leaders and academic representatives from CTTC, CIPET, NTTF, Adani Ports, Tata Strive, Phillips Education, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, CII, Festo India, Automobile Doctor India, DMG MORI, IG Drones, and Rourkela Steel Plant also participated.
With its collaborative framework and strong industry linkages, the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation is set to redefine India’s vocational training landscape, boost employability, and prepare the nation’s youth for the opportunities of a rapidly evolving global economy. The workshop reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building globally competitive skill hubs and called on industries to step forward as Anchor Partners to drive sustained success.
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