Reliance, Adani, Mahindra among top firms in Rs. 60,000 crore (US$ 6.94 billion) government Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) upgrade plan

In a significant effort to enhance industrial skills and youth employability, the Government of India is advancing a Rs. 60,000 crore (US$ 6.94 billion) scheme to modernise Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the initiative targets the upgrade of 1,000 ITIs under a hub-and-spoke model, aiming to train two million youth over the next five years. The model envisions key ITIs acting as hubs offering advanced training and sharing resources with smaller spoke institutes in surrounding regions, ensuring uniform quality while catering to specific industry needs. Around 12 prominent Indian and global companies have shown interest in partnering with the government. Major corporates like Reliance Group, Adani Group, Mahindra Group, JK Cement, Jindal Group, Toyota India, Schneider Electric, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel have already identified preferred states and sectors for their involvement, while talks continue with others such as Larsen & Toubro, Bajaj Auto, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
To oversee the scheme’s implementation, a National Steering Committee chaired by Secretary of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Mr. Rajit Punhani, has been formed, including representatives from key ministries and private sector players such as Bajaj Auto and ITC Ltd. The committee is responsible for policy formulation, fund allocation, and reviewing state proposals. Additionally, five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for Skilling will be established at National Skill Training Institutes in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana. The scheme, supported by co-financing from the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, focuses strongly on manufacturing sector skills. The government expects industry partners to not only provide funding but also play a crucial role in shaping curricula and standards, thereby bridging the gap between workforce skills and industry requirements while enhancing overall employability of India’s youth.

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