The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the Government of Odisha, held a consultative workshop on the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, aiming to modernize vocational training, strengthen industry partnerships, and prepare India’s youth for future-ready careers through a robust Hub-and-Spoke model.
Highlights:
- Workshop held at World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar, to discuss ITI upgradation vision and framework.
- Scheme approved by Union Cabinet with ₹60,000 crore outlay over five years to modernize 1,000 ITIs.
- Odisha positioned as a frontrunner in skill development with strong industrial base and upcoming National Centre of Excellence.
- Recommendations: curriculum upgrades, hybrid training, ToT initiatives, AI integration, skill competitions, and mining sector-focused skilling.
- Funded through a tripartite model — ₹30,000 crore from the Centre, ₹20,000 crore from States, and ₹10,000 crore from Industry (including CSR contributions).
- Industry-led SPVs to manage ITI clusters, ensuring global-standard, outcome-oriented training.
In a significant step towards modernizing India’s vocational training ecosystem, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the Skill Development & Technical Education Department, Government of Odisha, organized a Consultative Workshop on the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation at the World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar.
The workshop brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and training institutions to align the scheme with evolving workforce demands. Outlining the vision, MSDE Secretary Shri Rajit Punhani said, “The National Scheme for ITI Upgradation is about reimagining vocational training through industry-led governance, Hub-and-Spoke models, and global-standard facilities to make ITIs centres of innovation, employability, and entrepreneurship.” He highlighted Odisha’s readiness to lead this transformation given its strong industrial ecosystem.
Odisha’s presentation showcased its progress in technical education, infrastructure, and industry collaboration, reinforcing its role as a national leader in skill development. Industry representatives emphasized the need for updated curricula, specialized skilling for the mining sector, hybrid learning modes, advanced training-of-trainers, and AI integration in medicine and agriculture.
Approved by the Union Cabinet on 7 May 2025, the ₹60,000 crore scheme will upgrade 1,000 ITIs—200 as Hub ITIs with cutting-edge labs and innovation centres, and 800 Spoke ITIs for wider reach. Five National Skill Training Institutes will be developed into National Centres of Excellence with global partners. Funding will follow a tripartite model—₹30,000 crore from the Centre, ₹20,000 crore from States, and ₹10,000 crore from Industry, including CSR contributions.
Each ITI cluster will be managed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) co-owned by the Centre, States, and Anchor Industry Partners, ensuring industry-aligned governance and operations. The goal is to deliver high-quality, employment-oriented training that meets both domestic and global standards.
The event saw participation from senior government officials, including Ms. Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE; Ms. Rashmita Panda, CEO, World Skill Center; Shri Chakravarthi Singh Rathore, Director, Technical Education & Training, Government of Odisha; and Shri Pinaki Pattnaik, COO, World Skill Center. Industry stakeholders included representatives from Tata Strive, Adani Ports, Phillips Education, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, CII, Festo India, DMG MORI, IG Drones, and Rourkela Steel Plant.
With its collaborative approach and strong industry engagement, the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation is set to reshape India’s vocational training ecosystem, enhance employability, and prepare a globally competitive workforce. The Bhubaneswar workshop reinforced the call for active industry participation to ensure the scheme’s long-term success.
