THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
OCTOBER 6, 2026
Odisha on Tuesday
strengthened its skill development ecosystem by exchanging Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs) with 15 strategic partners, focusing on future skills,
industry collaboration, Centres of Excellence, innovation and enhanced
employment opportunities for the state's youth.
The agreements were
exchanged at a special ceremony held at the World Skill Center here, marking a
significant step towards creating an industry-aligned and future-ready
workforce for Odisha's expanding industrial ecosystem.
Addressing the
gathering, Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister
Sampad Chandra Swain said the partnerships represented a significant investment
in human capital and would help create a skilled workforce capable of meeting
the demands of emerging industries.
"These
partnerships will provide our youth with opportunities for quality training,
employment and career growth while developing the skilled workforce required
for Odisha's rapidly expanding industrial ecosystem," Swain said.
The collaborations
cover high-growth and technology-driven sectors, including emerging
technologies, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing,
robotics, semiconductors, green jobs and automotive technology.
The MoUs will
facilitate the establishment and strengthening of Centres of Excellence besides
promoting industry-led training, curriculum reform, trainer capacity building,
knowledge exchange, apprenticeships and placements.
The initiative is
aimed at giving learners greater exposure to cutting-edge technologies and
industry best practices, while ensuring that skill training remains closely
aligned with evolving market and industry requirements.
The partnerships also
place emphasis on future skills and sustainable development, with the objective
of preparing young people for emerging employment opportunities and supporting
innovation, digital transformation and green growth in the state.
The programme seeks
to widen access to technical education and skilled employment, particularly for
women and people from underprivileged communities, officials said.
The strategic
partners include 1M1B Foundation, Calderys of France, CIEL HR Services Ltd,
Cloos India of Germany, Delphi-TVS Technologies Ltd, F5 India of the US, Godrej
Consumer Products Ltd, Hettich Poddar Wood Working Institute, iFOREST, Mahindra
Holidays & Resorts India Pvt Ltd, OASME, Semantics, Siksha O Anusandhan
University, THK India of Japan and Utkal University.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Skill Development and Technical Education Department Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Director of Technical Education and Training Chakravarti Singh Rathore, World Skill Center CEO Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra and senior industry representatives were present at the event.
The state government said the partnerships would help bridge the gap between classroom-based learning and industry requirements, while creating a stronger pipeline of skilled talent for Odisha's evolving economy.
