Latest news with #RajitPunhani
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Business Standard
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Reliance, Adani, Mahindra among top firms in ₹60k cr govt ITI upgrade plan
In a major push to boost industrial skills and youth employability, several top Indian and global companies are in talks with the Centre to partner in the ₹60,000-crore scheme to upgrade Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India, according to a report by The Economic Times. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, aims to modernise 1,000 ITIs under a hub-and-spoke model, train two million youths over five years, and align vocational education with industry needs. So far, around 12 companies have expressed interest in collaborating with the ministry. Eight prominent players — Reliance Group, Adani Group, Mahindra Group, JK Cement, Jindal Group, Toyota India, Schneider Electric, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel — have submitted their preferences on the states and sectors in which they wish to set up hub-and-spoke ITIs, the news report said. Talks are also underway with other big names such as Larsen & Toubro, Bajaj Auto, Aditya Birla Group, and several public sector units including Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. What the model looks like The hub-and-spoke system involves key ITIs acting as hubs, providing advanced training and sharing resources with smaller spoke institutes in nearby areas. This model is designed to ensure uniform quality in vocational training while catering to specific region industry requirements, the news report said. Companies have proposed specific plans such as JK Cement will focus on Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh with training in construction, electronics, renewable energy, and hospitality. The Reliance Group has shortlisted Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh for training in renewables, advanced manufacturing, retail, and petrochemical engineering, the news report said. Committee to oversee implementation To guide the scheme's execution, the government has formed a National Steering Committee (NSC), chaired by Skill Secretary Rajit Punhani. It includes representatives from key ministries such as education, labour, commerce, and heavy industries, along with private sector participants like Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, and ITC Ltd. The committee is tasked with issuing scheme guidelines, setting policies, reallocating funds, and reviewing state proposals. It will also monitor the progress of five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for Skilling, which will be set up at National Skill Training Institutes in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana. Focus on the manufacturing sector The upgraded ITIs and CoEs will place strong emphasis on skills required in the manufacturing sector. The government hopes the industry will play a key role not only in funding but also in shaping course content and standards to ensure employability. The scheme, with co-financing from the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between industry requirements and workforce skills.
Business Standard
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Skill Ministry forms steering committee for ITI upgradation scheme
With the aim of developing rules and guidelines for the implementation of the recently launched industrial training institute (ITI) upgradation scheme, the Skill Ministry constituted a national steering committee (NSC) last week. It will also issue regulations for the setting up of five national centres of excellence (CoEs) for skilling, with special emphasis on creating a skilled workforce for the manufacturing sector. The NSC will be chaired by the Skill Secretary Rajit Punhani and will have representation from various central ministries, including education, heavy industries, commerce and industry, and labour, among others. It will also include representatives from private companies such as Bajaj Auto, ITC Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics, and Hero MotoCorp, along with state representatives. The NSC will issue scheme guidelines, provide broad policy directions, and reallocate funds across components within the overall scheme allocation, as well as modify minor components not envisaged (in line with the broad concept of the scheme) but required for the successful implementation of the scheme. Additionally, it will facilitate alignment between central, state, and cluster-level entities, review states' recommendations, and provide final approval for the selected bids. It will also oversee the NSTI transformation component of the scheme, including the planned sector-specific CoEs and global partnerships. Earlier this week, Skill Development Minister Jayant Chaudhary stated that states have been asked to identify ITIs and submit bids for the policy using a challenge method. 'We want to move beyond funding. We want the industry to shape the curriculum, certification, and training standards. This is how we create employable youth and make ITIs future-ready,' said Chaudhary while speaking to reporters. To improve skilling infrastructure in India, the Union Cabinet in May approved a new Rs 60,000 crore ITI upgradation scheme, focusing on 1,000 government ITIs in a hub-and-spoke arrangement with industry-aligned revamped trades, targeting over 2 million youth. This scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, will run for five years, with the Centre contributing Rs 30,000 crore and states contributing Rs 20,000 crore. The remaining amount will be provided by industry as corporate social responsibility (CSR). Meanwhile, with a special emphasis on creating a skilled workforce for the manufacturing sector, the Cabinet has also approved the setting up of five CoEs in the existing five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana. The first NSTI opened in 1963, and there are currently 33 such institutes in the country. The primary focus of NSTIs is on training trainers. These institutions are responsible for training instructors in the techniques of transferring hands-on skills and training methodology.
Business Standard
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Building Human Capital for Viksit Bharat: Skilling Workshop Sets Roadmap for the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 9: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), successfully hosted the second workshop on "Skilling: Future Ready Workforce" as a thematic prelude to the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi. The workshop brought together senior policymakers, domain experts, industry leaders, and academia to chart a unified, future-ready skill development strategy for India. Anchored under the broader theme of "Human Capital for Viksit Bharat", the workshop reflected the national resolve to build a resilient and future-ready workforce aligned with India's long-term development vision. Opening the session, Ms. Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE, emphasized the importance of aligning skilling initiatives with demographic trends, technological shifts, and emerging industry needs. She outlined five key focus areas for developing human capital for Viksit Bharat: Skilling for all, Filling the skill-employment gap, Demand-based skilling aligned with industry requirements, Strengthening service delivery systems, and Re-skilling and up-skilling of the existing workforce. Addressing the workshop, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, said, "Skill training is the cornerstone of our vision for Viksit Bharat @2047. We must ensure that every youth and working professional is equipped with the right skills to contribute meaningfully to both organizational growth and the nation's development. Our focus must be on three key pillars--agriculture skilling, ITI upgradation, and future skills. Integration of agri-skilling into mainstream education will empower rural youth and make agriculture a viable, future-ready career path. The ITI upgradation will help us transform these institutions into dynamic skilling hubs aligned with evolving industry needs. Emphasis on future skills will enable our workforce to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global landscape. Above all, we must focus on making skilling aspirational--something that excites, empowers, and elevates the aspirations of our youth." Shri Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General, DARE, noted the central role of agriculture in India's economy and emphasized the need to position skilling in agriculture and allied sectors as a national priority. He proposed transforming Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) into skill and incubation hubs that not only train farmers but also support rural youth through entrepreneurship handholding. A detailed presentation on the recently approved ₹60,000 crore ITI Upgradation Scheme was delivered by the Directorate General of Training (DGT), outlining the Ministry's roadmap to transform ITIs into modern, industry-aligned skilling hubs. The presentation showcased key components of the scheme and the strategic direction for its implementation across states. During the open discussion that followed, state officials shared progress made on the ground--including industry tie-ups, identification of regional skill clusters, and efforts to modernize infrastructure. At the same time, they also highlighted critical challenges, such as difficulty in onboarding private partners in smaller states, faculty shortages, and the need for increased industry engagement to ensure the sustainability and relevance of upgraded ITIs. The workshop further delved deeper into five thematic sessions- Skilling for All, Filling the Skill-Employment Gap, Demand-Based Skilling with Industry Alignment, Strengthening Service Delivery, and Reskilling and Upskilling, with active participation from states including Karnataka, Odisha, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, and representatives from various companies. The states presented their best practices and innovative skilling models at the workshop, showcasing a diverse range of approaches to developing a future-ready workforce. Karnataka and Odisha shared inclusive skilling initiatives under the theme "Skilling for All", while Assam contributed its perspectives on bridging the skill-employment gap. Uttar Pradesh and Tripura highlighted efforts towards demand-based skilling with a strong focus on industry alignment, and West Bengal elaborated on strategies to strengthen service delivery mechanisms at the grassroots level. These presentations reflected the regional diversity and shared commitment across states toward the national skilling agenda. As part of the preparations for the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries under the theme "Human Capital for Viksit Bharat", all States and Union Territories have been requested to seek inputs in the form of Feedback Notes from officers at all levels including field level functionaries. Feedback notes are to be uploaded on the CS Conference portal by 20 August 2025, and a consolidated state-specific note by 31 August 2025. During the sessions, industry partners also played a vital role in the discussions, bringing to the table real-world insights and collaborative models. Representatives from Adobe, Sodexo, Avaada Group, Lemon Tree Hotels, UPS, Volvo-Eicher, Escorts, Tata Strive, and others contributed across thematic sessions covering topics such as reskilling, upskilling, and service delivery. Additionally, PSUs like Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum shared their skilling and R & D initiatives. These interactions between government, academia, and industry emphasized the need for stronger convergence to equip India's workforce for emerging job roles and evolving market demands. Each session was followed by an open discussion that encouraged multi-stakeholder collaboration and identified innovative approaches to strengthen service delivery and align skill training with real-time employment demands. The workshop was graced by Mr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, Former Chairperson, NCVET, Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, DG (Training), DGT, MSDE, Dr. Vinita Aggarwal, Executive Member, NCVET, Himanshu Gunawat, Deputy Secretary, MSDE, Padma Shri awardee Shri Sultan Singh, Dr. More Ramulu, Advisor, AICTE, representatives from various state skilling departments or ministries, IARI, New Delhi, DoNER, among others. The workshop concluded with a consensus on the need for stronger convergence across stakeholders, investment in future-ready infrastructure, and leveraging international partnerships to build a resilient and inclusive skilling ecosystem. The outcomes and insights from the workshop will feed into the deliberations at the Chief Secretaries' Conference and guide future skilling policy directions.
The Wire
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Wire
Building Human Capital for Viksit Bharat: Skilling Workshop Sets Roadmap for the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries
New Delhi, 9th July 2025: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), successfully hosted the second workshop on 'Skilling: Future Ready Workforce' as a thematic prelude to the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi. The workshop brought together senior policymakers, domain experts, industry leaders, and academia to chart a unified, future-ready skill development strategy for India. Anchored under the broader theme of 'Human Capital for Viksit Bharat', the workshop reflected the national resolve to build a resilient and future-ready workforce aligned with India's long-term development vision. Opening the session, Ms. Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE, emphasized the importance of aligning skilling initiatives with demographic trends, technological shifts, and emerging industry needs. She outlined five key focus areas for developing human capital for Viksit Bharat: Skilling for all, Filling the skill-employment gap, Demand-based skilling aligned with industry requirements, Strengthening service delivery systems, and Re-skilling and up-skilling of the existing workforce. Addressing the workshop, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, said, "Skill training is the cornerstone of our vision for Viksit Bharat @2047. We must ensure that every youth and working professional is equipped with the right skills to contribute meaningfully to both organizational growth and the nation's development. Our focus must be on three key pillars—agriculture skilling, ITI upgradation, and future skills. Integration of agri-skilling into mainstream education will empower rural youth and make agriculture a viable, future-ready career path. The ITI upgradation will help us transform these institutions into dynamic skilling hubs aligned with evolving industry needs. Emphasis on future skills will enable our workforce to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global landscape. Above all, we must focus on making skilling aspirational—something that excites, empowers, and elevates the aspirations of our youth." Shri Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General, DARE, noted the central role of agriculture in India's economy and emphasized the need to position skilling in agriculture and allied sectors as a national priority. He proposed transforming Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) into skill and incubation hubs that not only train farmers but also support rural youth through entrepreneurship handholding. A detailed presentation on the recently approved ₹60,000 crore ITI Upgradation Scheme was delivered by the Directorate General of Training (DGT), outlining the Ministry's roadmap to transform ITIs into modern, industry-aligned skilling hubs. The presentation showcased key components of the scheme and the strategic direction for its implementation across states. During the open discussion that followed, state officials shared progress made on the ground—including industry tie-ups, identification of regional skill clusters, and efforts to modernize infrastructure. At the same time, they also highlighted critical challenges, such as difficulty in onboarding private partners in smaller states, faculty shortages, and the need for increased industry engagement to ensure the sustainability and relevance of upgraded ITIs. The workshop further delved deeper into five thematic sessions- Skilling for All, Filling the Skill–Employment Gap, Demand-Based Skilling with Industry Alignment, Strengthening Service Delivery, and Reskilling and Upskilling, with active participation from states including Karnataka, Odisha, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, and representatives from various companies. The states presented their best practices and innovative skilling models at the workshop, showcasing a diverse range of approaches to developing a future-ready workforce. Karnataka and Odisha shared inclusive skilling initiatives under the theme "Skilling for All", while Assam contributed its perspectives on bridging the skill–employment gap. Uttar Pradesh and Tripura highlighted efforts towards demand-based skilling with a strong focus on industry alignment, and West Bengal elaborated on strategies to strengthen service delivery mechanisms at the grassroots level. These presentations reflected the regional diversity and shared commitment across states toward the national skilling agenda. As part of the preparations for the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries under the theme 'Human Capital for Viksit Bharat', all States and Union Territories have been requested to seek inputs in the form of Feedback Notes from officers at all levels including field level functionaries. Feedback notes are to be uploaded on the CS Conference portal by 20 August 2025, and a consolidated state-specific note by 31 August 2025. During the sessions, industry partners also played a vital role in the discussions, bringing to the table real-world insights and collaborative models. Representatives from Adobe, Sodexo, Avaada Group, Lemon Tree Hotels, UPS, Volvo-Eicher, Escorts, Tata Strive, and others contributed across thematic sessions covering topics such as reskilling, upskilling, and service delivery. Additionally, PSUs like Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum shared their skilling and R&D initiatives. These interactions between government, academia, and industry emphasized the need for stronger convergence to equip India's workforce for emerging job roles and evolving market demands. Each session was followed by an open discussion that encouraged multi-stakeholder collaboration and identified innovative approaches to strengthen service delivery and align skill training with real-time employment demands. The workshop was graced by Mr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, Former Chairperson, NCVET, Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, DG (Training), DGT, MSDE, Dr. Vinita Aggarwal, Executive Member, NCVET, Himanshu Gunawat, Deputy Secretary, MSDE, Padma Shri awardee Shri Sultan Singh, Dr. More Ramulu, Advisor, AICTE, representatives from various state skilling departments or ministries, IARI, New Delhi, DoNER, among others. The workshop concluded with a consensus on the need for stronger convergence across stakeholders, investment in future-ready infrastructure, and leveraging international partnerships to build a resilient and inclusive skilling ecosystem. The outcomes and insights from the workshop will feed into the deliberations at the Chief Secretaries' Conference and guide future skilling policy directions. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
