The Indian government took a significant step towards enhancing vocational education and skill development on Wednesday. The government approved a plan to establish five national centers of excellence for the upgradation and skill development of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
New Delhi: The Indian government approved a major plan for Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and skill development aimed at revolutionizing vocational education nationwide. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a ₹60,000 crore (approximately $7.3 billion USD) plan primarily focused on upgrading 1,000 government ITIs and enhancing the capacity of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
This plan aims to provide quality skill training to millions of young people across the country to meet the growing human resource needs of industries.
Objectives and Key Aspects of the Plan
This ambitious initiative seeks to modernize ITIs and integrate them with industry-oriented education systems. It involves upgrading 1,000 government ITIs and expanding the capacity of five NSTIs. According to the government's announcement, the project will skill 2 million young people within five years. The program will be tailored to meet evolving industry demands, ensuring a consistent supply of trained workers.
According to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, this plan will better align local workforce supply with industry needs. This will not only enhance skill development but also provide industries with employment-ready workers. Furthermore, the plan will be crucial for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) by providing them access to skilled and trained personnel.
Financial Structure of the Plan
The total cost of the plan is set at ₹60,000 crore, with the central government contributing ₹30,000 crore, state governments ₹20,000 crore, and industries ₹10,000 crore. Additionally, co-financing of up to 50 percent of the central share will be provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. This co-financing will further strengthen the plan and aid its implementation.
Focus on Enhancing Trainer Capacity
The plan will also improve training-of-trainers (TOT) facilities. This will involve upgrading infrastructure at the five major NSTIs (Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana). Furthermore, 50,000 trainers will receive pre-service and in-service training to enhance their skills and enable them to more effectively educate young trainees.
Sustainable Improvement and Long-Term Vision
This plan is not merely a short-term fix but part of a continuous improvement strategy. The aim is to ensure that government ITIs evolve from solely government-run institutions into industry-managed ones, operated by experts from various sectors. This initiative marks a significant step towards bringing about sustainable change in technical education and skill training in India.
Following the approval of the plan under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the government emphasized that India's greatest strength is its young workforce, and skilling this workforce is one of its top priorities. Under the plan, vocational training will be imparted to young people through national skill training institutes, enabling them to make their mark internationally.
This plan represents a crucial step by the central government that will help position India as a leader in global skill development. It will not only provide young people with new employment opportunities but also equip Indian industries with skilled and competent workers, supporting their growth.
