MSDE Hosts State-Level Workshop in Gujarat to Catalyse ITI Upgradation with Strong Industry Partnerships
MSDE Hosts State-Level Workshop in Gujarat to Catalyse ITI Upgradation with Strong Industry Partnerships
As part of its continued efforts to modernize vocational training infrastructure across India, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, in collaboration with the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department, Government of Gujarat, organized a State-Level Workshop cum Consultation on the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation at the NAMTECH Campus, located within the IIT-Gandhi Nagar campus.
The workshop served as a platform to initiate structured consultations with key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem. The objective was to align expectations and gather inputs for the successful implementation of the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.
Highlighting the importance of industry involvement in making India’s skilling ecosystem globally competitive, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, said, “The ITI Upgradation Scheme is not just about upgrading buildings—it is about upgrading aspirations. It brings together the Centre, States, and Industry in a co-leadership model that prioritizes relevance, quality, and global readiness. By bringing industry on board as an equal partner, we are creating a new blueprint for vocational training that is demand-driven, forward-looking, and future-proof. Gujarat’s leadership and commitment to this mission reflect the transformative potential of centre-state-industry collaboration.”
A key highlight of the workshop was a comprehensive status update on Gujarat’s preparedness for scheme implementation. The state department apprised the participants of the actions taken till now, including potential clusters and timelines for pilot rollout.
Further sessions focused on strengthening industry partnerships for curriculum co-design, equipment modernization, CSR and funding collaborations, and establishing measurable outcome metrics. The industry perspective session witnessed robust participation from leading companies, underscoring the importance of shared ownership in skill development. This was complemented by insights from ITI representatives on ground-level needs, infrastructure gaps, and training capacity enhancement.
On 7th May 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, with an outlay of INR 60,000 crore over five years to upgrade 1,000 ITIs across the country. It aims to align vocational education with global quality standards, advanced pedagogy, and real industry needs.
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 modernize 1,000 ITIs, including 200 Hub ITIs with cutting-edge labs, innovation centres, and training-of-trainers (ToT) facilities, and 800 Spoke ITIs to ensure wider reach and quality parity. Additionally, five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) will be upgraded to host National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in collaboration with global partners, anchoring high-end skilling, curriculum innovation, and capacity building.
The workshop was graced by Smt. Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE, Government of India; Additional Secretary; Dr. Vinod R. Rao, Principal Secretary, Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department, Government of Gujarat;Shri Nitin Sangwan, Director of Employment and Training, Government of Gujarat: Shri P Swaroop, Industries Commissioner; Smt. Praveena D K, Vice Chairman & CEO, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC); and Shri K J Rathod, Director, Skill Development & MD, GSDM. The workshop also witnessed the presence of other senior state government officials from DET, GSDM, RDSDE, principals of ITIs, foreman Instructors and supervisor instructors.
Industry leaders from 36 organizations participated in the workshop, including Adani Skills and Education, Asian Paints limited, Cera Sanitary ware ltd, Grasim Industries, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt Ltd, JSW MG Motor India, Micron Semiconductor, Pidilite Industries, Reliance Industries, Schneider Electric, Tata Chemicals, Tata Electronics, Tata Motors, Larsen & Toubro, among others.
