MSDE Hosts Workshop on National ITI Upgradation Scheme with States, Industry

In a major step toward transforming vocational education and skill development in India, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) held a day-long national workshop on the “National Scheme for ITI Upgradation” at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi, on August 5, 2025. The workshop brought together senior officers from the State Governments of Assam, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, along with representatives from NITI Aayog, the Directorate General of Training (DGT), National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)—co-financiers of the Scheme.

This high-level consultative session aimed at refining the roadmap for implementing the newly approved National ITI Upgradation Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2024–25 and formally approved in May 2025.

Context: A National Push to Modernize Skill Institutions

India's large network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) has long played a key role in skilling the workforce. However, gaps in infrastructure, outdated curricula, and insufficient industry linkage have posed persistent challenges. The new scheme aims to overhaul this system by creating state-led, industry-managed skill institutions, operating under a hub-and-spoke model, thereby aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for integration of vocational and academic learning.

Scheme Overview: Transforming 1000 ITIs Across India

The National Scheme for ITI Upgradation envisions:

• Upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs across India

• A hub-and-spoke model:

  • 200 ITIs will serve as ‘hub’ institutions

  • 800 ITIs will function as ‘spokes’ to these hubs

• Each upgraded ITI will feature:

  • State-of-the-art infrastructure

  • Modern machinery and digital classrooms

  • Advanced tools aligned with industry requirements

The aim is to build a network of futuristic skilling hubs, anchored by leading industries, that will serve as regional centers of excellence in skill development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Government’s Call for Collaborative Implementation

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to the scheme and called for proactive participation from States. He emphasized the need to:

• Identify ITI clusters for development under the hub-and-spoke model

• Engage Anchor Industry Partners (AIPs) to co-manage and co-design training programs

• Create a robust institutional structure that is government-owned but industry-led

He highlighted that the success of the scheme depends on states' readiness to partner with private players to make ITIs dynamic, responsive, and aligned with future workforce needs.

Key Presentations and Deliberations

sNCVET and American Welding Society Inputs

• The sNCVET elaborated on credentialing and quality assurance frameworks for vocational education, aligning certification standards with global benchmarks.

• The American Welding Society (AWS) shared insights into industry partnerships, demonstrating how high-demand trades like welding can be transformed through modern training methodologies and global standards.

Special Address by Ms. Trishaljit Sethi

Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Special Secretary and DG (Training), detailed the operational structure of the scheme and emphasized the importance of early identification of industry partners, especially for the hub ITIs. She stressed that the integration of digital technologies and dual training models would be vital to bridge the skills gap.

States’ Feedback and Ecosystem Mapping

State representatives shared:

• Snapshots of their current skilling ecosystems and flagship programs

• Identified challenges such as resource constraints, faculty gaps, and need for industry coordination

• Requested central support in funding, curriculum development, and faculty training

In response, officials from MSDE and DGT assured continued handholding, policy guidance, and capacity-building support to ensure smooth and effective implementation.

Financing and Global Partnerships

The involvement of World Bank and ADB as co-financiers signals strong international confidence in India’s skilling reforms. Their presence also ensures that the scheme will be driven by global best practices, transparent execution, and impact-oriented monitoring.

Both institutions reiterated their support and encouraged states to adopt evidence-based planning, focusing on regional skill demand, employability outcomes, and industry-aligned curricula.

Alignment with NEP 2020 and Future Workforce Needs

The workshop emphasized the relevance of the scheme within the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly its focus on:

• Blending vocational education with general education

• Creating multiple entry-exit points in skilling pathways

• Promoting mobility between academic and skill-based streams

This convergence is expected to ensure that skilling does not remain a terminal stream, but a mainstream pathway toward lifelong learning and career growth.

A Shared National Commitment

The workshop concluded with a collective commitment to transform the face of vocational education in India. MSDE reiterated its role as a facilitator, capacity builder, and convergence enabler, ensuring that the scheme evolves into a model of excellence in the global skilling landscape.

With the strong backing of states, industries, international partners, and policy think tanks, the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation is poised to create a modern, agile, and demand-driven skill ecosystem that not only meets India's industrial needs but also empowers its youth with sustainable livelihoods and future-ready skills.