To bolster skill development across India, the Centre and Uttar Pradesh have joined forces to implement transformative programs aimed at empowering the workforce.
At the heart of this collaboration is the ₹60,000 crore ITI Upgradation Scheme, which seeks to modernize Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and elevate them into world-class skill development centers.
This ambitious plan supports the government’s vision of creating a skilled and employable workforce. It aims to address the demands of evolving industries effectively.
High-Level Meeting Sets the Agenda For Skill Development
On March 28, 2025, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (I/C), and Shri Kapil Dev Agrawal, Minister of State for Vocational Education and Skill Development, Uttar Pradesh, convened a high-level meeting at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) participated in the meeting.
Representatives from the Uttar Pradesh government were also in attendance.
Discussions centered on improving Centre-State collaboration for the seamless execution of key skilling programs.
These programs include Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), PM Vishwakarma, and the Swavalambini Women Entrepreneurship Programme.
ITI Upgradation Scheme: A Game-Changer
The ₹60,000 crore ITI Upgradation Scheme aims to revolutionize skill development in India.
This initiative will modernize 1,000 ITIs across the country using a hub-and-spoke model.
The funding structure allocates ₹30,000 crore from the Central Government and ₹20,000 crore from State Governments.
Additionally, ₹10,000 crore is contributed through industry partnerships.
This collaborative approach equips ITIs with state-of-the-art facilities, industry-driven curricula, and hands-on training methodologies.
Uttar Pradesh, with its 3,258 ITIs spread across 75 districts, is set to play a pivotal role in this transformation.
The state’s extensive network of ITIs plays a crucial role in contributing to the scheme’s success.
This ensures high employability for youth and provides a steady pipeline of skilled talent for industries.
Achievements in Skill Development
Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in skill development under PMKVY, training over 24.73 lakh candidates to date.
The latest PMKVY 4.0 initiative has enrolled more than 93,000 individuals in futuristic job roles.
These include positions like Drone Service Technician, AI-Machine Learning Engineer, Electric Vehicle Service Technician, and Solar PV Installer (Electrical).
Additionally, 405 training centers under PM Vishwakarma have successfully trained nearly 1.08 lakh craftspeople across the state.
To boost entrepreneurship, Uttar Pradesh has conducted over 450 Entrepreneurship Awareness Programs and 145 Entrepreneurship Development Programs.
These initiatives equip aspiring entrepreneurs with essential business skills and financial literacy.
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