MSDE Hosts Workshop with UTs to Drive ITI Upgradation Under New National Scheme

In a significant move to revamp India's vocational training landscape, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) hosted a day-long National Workshop on the “National Scheme for ITI Upgradation” with representatives from Union Territories (UTs) at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi, on July 25, 2025. The workshop marked a crucial step in mobilizing stakeholders for the rollout of one of the most ambitious skilling initiatives in the country, aimed at building a modern, industry-responsive, and entrepreneurial ecosystem within government-owned Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

A Transformative Scheme Rooted in Budget 2024–25 Vision

The National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, officially approved in May 2025 following its announcement in the Union Budget 2024–25, targets the comprehensive modernization of 1,000 Government ITIs using a hub-and-spoke model. Of these, 200 will act as Hub ITIs, each linked with an average of four Spoke ITIs, totaling 800 spokes. These upgraded ITIs will be developed into state-led, industry-managed institutions, embodying the government’s vision for 21st-century skilling infrastructure.

The initiative will be co-funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, further cementing its stature as a global-standard project.

Stakeholder Engagement: Key to Seamless Rollout

Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, opened the workshop with a strong call to action, urging UTs to engage proactively by identifying suitable ITI clusters and establishing partnerships with Anchor Industry Partners (AIPs). He emphasized the scheme's potential to transform India's skilling ecosystem through a new institutional framework that allows for government ownership but industry management, thereby bridging the critical gap between supply and demand in the job market.

Strategic Framework and Technical Briefings

Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Special Secretary/Director General (Training), presented a detailed roadmap of the scheme. She emphasized the importance of early identification of industry partners, calling them critical stakeholders in shaping the curriculum, offering apprenticeships, and co-managing ITIs.

The Directorate General of Training (DGT) presented key features of the scheme, focusing on:

• Curriculum modernization aligned with industry 4.0 demands

• Upgraded infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment

• Robust governance structures to ensure accountability and efficiency

• Monitoring systems integrated via digital platforms like SIDH

Integrating Entrepreneurship into Skilling

Mrs. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, Entrepreneurship, introduced a forward-looking vision of embedding entrepreneurship into ITI training. Her presentation outlined ways to:

• Integrate entrepreneurship modules into vocational curricula

• Encourage students to pursue self-employment as a viable career path

• Leverage existing schemes like PM YUVA and Start-Up India for support

The discussion encouraged UTs to treat entrepreneurship as a complementary pathway to wage employment and urged them to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets from the grassroots level.

Region-Specific Presentations from Union Territories

Representatives from various Union Territories presented insights into their local skilling ecosystems, highlighting:

• Existing ITI infrastructure

• Challenges related to instructor availability, technology adoption, and industry engagement

• Requirements for technical guidance, financial aid, and regulatory support

MSDE and DGT officials acknowledged these challenges and assured stakeholders of ongoing support through expert guidance, resource sharing, and capacity-building initiatives tailored to regional needs.

Sensitization on NCVET and Digital Integration through SIDH

A special session was conducted to introduce UT officials to the regulatory functions of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), which is responsible for:

• Ensuring quality assurance in vocational training

• Accrediting assessment agencies and awarding bodies

• Promoting standardization of vocational education across states and UTs

Additionally, the SIDH portal was showcased as a centralized digital platform to:

• Enable real-time data collection and integration

• Improve monitoring and reporting systems

• Enhance transparency and efficiency in programme implementation

Anchoring NEP 2020: Vocational Integration into Education

The workshop also delved into the vision laid out in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for greater integration of education with vocational training. The scheme aims to operationalize this through:

• Flexible curricula that blend academic learning with practical skills

• Credit-based modular training

• Strong school-to-skilling pathways for Class 9–12 students

The Way Forward: A Unified Commitment to Skilling Excellence

The workshop concluded with a collective commitment from all participants to support the effective rollout of the National ITI Upgradation Scheme. MSDE reaffirmed its role as a central coordinating body to:

• Facilitate convergence between ministries and institutions

• Provide technical assistance and funding access

• Enable a scalable and inclusive vocational training ecosystem across Union Territories

By ensuring that government ITIs evolve into vibrant centers of excellence, the scheme aspires to prepare India’s youth for global industry standards, empower micro-entrepreneurship, and build a future-ready workforce.