Maharashtra govt outlines Rs 60,000 crore ITI reform at Skill Milan; 5 NSTIs to become centres of excellence

MUMBAI: The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, led a significant meeting called Skill Milanwith directors of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) chosen for elevation to National Centres of Excellence under the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, as approved by Union Cabinet on May 7, 2025.The interaction focused on aligning these institutions to enhance India's skill development framework.The primary focus was on upgrading these five NSTIs to increase the pool of qualified instructors. These establishments will be enhanced to provide standardised training for instructors. As National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs), these institutions will address specific sector requirements whilst serving as crucial components of the recently approved Rs 60,000 crore scheme.Chaudhary described it as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to transform India's technical training landscape, creating institutions that address current and future workforce requirements. "These NSTIs will set the pace of skill development in India," said Chaudhary. "We must move beyond infrastructure and focus on institutional excellence—by embedding work-based learning, training of high-quality instructors, and close industry collaboration.These Centres should become the anchors of innovation, employability, and global competitiveness in technical training."The discussion emphasised developing these institutions around industry requirements, focusing on sectors like Automotive, Manufacturing, Textile and emerging skills including Artificial Intelligence, EV and advanced manufacturing. The centres aim to promote entrepreneurship, research, and continuous learning, offering comprehensive pathways from certificate to advanced diploma levels aligned with the National Credit Framework.The Minister stressed the importance of industry involvement in NSTI development, emphasising coordination with State Governments to ensure partnerships remain locally relevant and aligned with regional economic objectives.Representatives from the NSTIs in Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana presented their transformation plans. They discussed aligning curricula with local industries, enhancing instructor skills through international exposure, and establishing Industrial Collaboration Centres. Many highlighted the significance of residential facilities to attract quality faculty and students nationwide.The transformed NSTIs will receive academic, financial, and administrative autonomy under an enhanced governance structure. These institutions will serve as excellence hubs, supporting the broader ITI network through curriculum enhancement, teaching innovation and flexible entry-exit options for trainees.The Ministry confirmed its dedication to developing a future-ready workforce through comprehensive vocational education reforms. These Centres of Excellence will be instrumental in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.