THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 28, 2026
World Bank
Group President Ajay Banga is set to visit the Odisha capital on January 29 as
part of his two-day tour of India, with a sharp focus on strengthening job
creation and skilling initiatives aimed at preparing the country’s youth for
private-sector employment.
During his
Bhubaneswar visit, Banga will tour the Central Tool Room and Training Centre
(CTTC), a premier institution known for its industry-linked technical and
vocational training programmes. He is expected to interact with students
undergoing skill development courses and gain first-hand insights into how
market-relevant training is equipping young people for employment in emerging
and traditional industries alike. Banga will also engage with media
representatives, responding to questions on the World Bank Group’s broader jobs
agenda and its priorities for India.
The visit
underscores the World Bank Group’s emphasis on job-ready skilling as a
cornerstone of inclusive economic growth. Officials said the primary objective
of Banga’s engagement is to highlight ongoing efforts to prepare India’s vast
youth population for productive employment while supporting private-sector-led
job creation at scale. The World Bank Group is also expected to announce a new
strategic partnership with India during the visit, signalling deeper
collaboration in the areas of skilling, employment and economic resilience.
An official
associated with the visit noted that India is entering a decisive decade for
employment, with nearly 12 million young people joining the labour force every
year. Realising the vision of Viksit Bharat, the official said, will depend
significantly on the country’s ability to generate productive and sustainable
jobs, largely driven by private enterprise and supported by robust skill
ecosystems.
The CTTC has
emerged as a critical pillar in this ecosystem by working closely with
industries to deliver market-aligned technical skills while also supporting
small and medium enterprises. Its model is widely regarded as scalable and
effective in bridging the gap between training and employment by aligning
skilling programmes with real-time private-sector demand.
Officials
further revealed that the CTTC’s approach has helped shape a new skilling and
employment programme supported by the World Bank and the Asian Development
Bank. The initiative aims to modernise Industrial Training Institutes across
the country through stronger private-sector participation, with a special
emphasis on expanding access and opportunities for women, reinforcing inclusive
growth in India’s evolving labour market.
