MSDE, Odisha Join Hands to Upgrade ITIs and Boost Youth Careers

Bhubaneswar- The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in partnership with the Skill Development & Technical Education Department, Government of Odisha, convened a Consultative Workshop on the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation at the World Skill Center in Bhubaneswar. The event brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and academic experts to chart a roadmap for transforming India’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into modern skill hubs.

The workshop centred on the scheme’s vision, governance model, and implementation strategy, emphasising how it will align vocational training with evolving industry demands. Discussions also focused on ensuring curriculum upgrades, industry-led governance, and advanced training methods to make skill development aspirational for India’s youth.

Speaking at the event, MSDE Secretary Rajit Punhani underlined that the initiative goes beyond infrastructure modernisation. “The National Scheme for ITI Upgradation is about reimagining the DNA of vocational training in India,” he said.

“Through the Hub-and-Spoke model, industry-led governance, and global-standard training, we aim to make ITIs the epicentres of innovation, employability, and entrepreneurship. Odisha, with its robust industrial base and newly established National Centre of Excellence, is uniquely positioned to lead this change.”

The Odisha ITI transformation journey was presented during the workshop, showcasing achievements in technical education, infrastructure improvements, and strong industry partnerships. The state’s readiness to implement the national scheme was highlighted as a model for others to follow.

Industry stakeholders offered recommendations to strengthen the scheme’s impact. Key suggestions included:

Curriculum updates to meet international benchmarks

Expanded training-of-trainers programmes

Hybrid training delivery to improve accessibility

Promotion of skill competitions

Specialised defence-sector training

Integration of AI in healthcare and agriculture

Strengthened apprenticeship opportunities

Given Odisha’s rich mineral resources and significant role in India’s mining sector, participants also called for targeted mining-specific skilling programmes to meet the specialised manpower needs of high-value mining operations and allied industries.

The National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, approved by the Union Cabinet on May 7, 2025, has an outlay of ₹60,000 crore over five years. 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. The plan includes upgrading 200 Hub ITIs with advanced labs, innovation centres, and training-of-trainers facilities, alongside 800 Spoke ITIs to ensure quality parity across regions.

Additionally, five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) will be modernised into National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in partnership with global institutions, focusing on curriculum innovation and high-end skilling.

The governance model will feature Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) jointly managed by the Central Government, State Governments, and Anchor Industry Partners to ensure efficient operations and strong industry linkages.

Senior officials attending the workshop included  Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE; Rashmita Panda, Director, Skill Development & CEO, World Skill Center; Chakravarthi Singh Rathore, Director, Technical Education & Training, Odisha; and  Pinaki Pattnaik, Additional Secretary, SD&TE cum COO, World Skill Center. Representatives from leading organisations such as CTTC, CIPET, Tata Strive, Adani Ports, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, and CII also participated.

The event reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating globally competitive skill hubs and called on industries to take an active role as Anchor Partners. With Odisha at the forefront, the scheme is set to reshape India’s vocational training ecosystem and prepare the workforce for the jobs of the future.