Gujarat Hosts Key Workshop on ₹60,000 Cr National ITI Upgradation Scheme

In a major push to revamp India’s vocational training landscape and align it with global industry standards, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, in partnership with the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department, Government of Gujarat, convened a State-Level Workshop cum Consultation on the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation. The event was held at the state-of-the-art NAMTECH campus located within the IIT Gandhinagar premises, serving as a high-impact forum to drive stakeholder engagement, policy alignment, and on-ground execution readiness.

The workshop brought together a robust assembly of government officials, ITI principals and instructors, private sector leaders, and skill ecosystem partners, reflecting a unified vision to make India’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) globally competitive, digitally enabled, and demand-driven.

Building Aspirations, Not Just Infrastructure

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, emphasized that the ITI upgradation effort represents a shift in paradigm from mere infrastructure enhancement to transformational skilling reform.

“The ITI Upgradation Scheme is not just about upgrading buildings—it is about upgrading aspirations,” he said. “By making industry an equal partner, we are building a skilling ecosystem that is agile, globally competitive, and rooted in local job realities.”

He further underlined the importance of Centre-State-Industry co-leadership, and lauded Gujarat’s proactive efforts in identifying pilot clusters, setting rollout timelines, and forging meaningful industry partnerships.

A Landmark Policy Move with ₹60,000 Crore Vision

The event follows the Union Cabinet’s approval of the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation on 7th May 2025, backed by an ambitious outlay of ₹60,000 crore over five years. This tripartite funding model includes:

• ₹30,000 crore from the Central Government

• ₹20,000 crore from State Governments

• ₹10,000 crore from Industry, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions

The scheme will target the upgradation of 1,000 ITIs across India, including:

• 200 Hub ITIs: Equipped with cutting-edge labs, digital classrooms, ToT (Training of Trainers) centers, and innovation hubs

• 800 Spoke ITIs: Serving as regional arms to ensure equitable access and quality parity across rural and semi-urban areas

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

Gujarat’s Preparedness: Laying the Groundwork for Transformation

Senior officials from Gujarat presented the state’s preparedness for implementing the scheme. Updates included:

• Identification of potential pilot clusters

• Readiness of select ITIs for immediate rollout

• Timelines for equipment modernization and capacity expansion

• Focus on training delivery innovation and public-private partnerships

The workshop demonstrated Gujarat’s commitment to becoming a national model for vocational excellence and highlighted how states can leverage central policy support to drive regional employment outcomes.

Focused Sessions on Industry Collaboration and Capacity Building

The workshop featured several high-impact thematic sessions on:

• Curriculum Co-Design with Industry Experts

• Modernization of Training Equipment and Infrastructure

• Funding Mechanisms and CSR Mobilization

• Establishing Measurable Outcome Indicators

• Skilling Pathways for Emerging Sectors

Inputs from ITI principals, instructors, and training supervisors enriched the dialogue with insights into on-ground needs, infrastructure limitations, and trainer capacity gaps. These grassroots insights are set to inform both state-level planning and national framework development.

Industry Participation: Shared Ownership for Future Skills

One of the standout aspects of the workshop was the enthusiastic participation of over 36 leading companies, showcasing a new era of industry co-ownership in skilling.

Some of the participating organizations included:

• Adani Skills and Education

• JSW, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Motors, Tata Chemicals, Tata Electronics

• Micron Semiconductor, Pidilite Industries, Reliance Industries

• Asian Paints Ltd., Cera Sanitaryware Ltd., Grasim Industries

• Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., Schneider Electric, MG Motor India

These firms shared perspectives on sector-specific skilling needs, best practices for workplace-integrated learning, and potential areas for CSR alignment.

Distinguished Participants and Policy Leadership

The event was enriched by the presence of senior leadership from both the central and state governments, including:

• Smt. Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE

• Dr. Vinod R. Rao, Principal Secretary, Labour, Skill Development and Employment, Gujarat

• Shri Nitin Sangwan, Director, Employment and Training, Gujarat

• Shri P. Swaroop, Industries Commissioner, Gujarat

• Smt. Praveena D K, Vice Chairman & CEO, GIDC

• Shri K.J. Rathod, Director, Skill Development & MD, GSDM

Officials from DET, GSDM, RDSDE, and National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) were also present, ensuring end-to-end policy cohesion.

Towards a Future-Ready Skilled India

The Gujarat workshop underscored the transformative potential of integrated policy, decentralised implementation, and collaborative governance in India’s skilling journey. As the country gears up to meet the demands of Industry 4.0, climate transition, and digital transformation, schemes like the National ITI Upgradation Mission will serve as key enablers for productive employment, inclusive growth, and global competitiveness.

This initiative is more than a scheme—it is a national movement to elevate vocational education, bring dignity to skilled professions, and create a resilient, future-ready workforce that powers India’s growth story in the decades to come.