Weekly Newsbytes on skills and education

This week’s NSN Newsbytes brings top updates in skill development, vocational education, and CSR initiatives across India, reflecting a nationwide push for inclusive growth, employment generation, and future-ready skills.

Key government moves include Tamil Nadu launching exclusive ITIs for construction workers’ families, NFDC introducing a fully residential 3D Animation and VFX course for the North East, and the UP Board expanding access to vocational education in schools. Major CSR and industry efforts from Schaeffler India, APM Terminals Pipavav, Career Mosaic, LG India CSR Foundation, and IDEMIA India Foundation are empowering youth with STEM education, manufacturing training, and digital skills.

Regional highlights feature Pulwama’s Entrepreneurship Mela, North Mumbai Skill Centre spearheaded by MP Piyush Goyal, and the Asian Development Bank’s investment in sustainable tourism at Uttarakhand’s Tehri Lake. With strong partnerships between government, industry, and academia, India’s skilling ecosystem is evolving rapidly, bridging the education-to-employment gap and preparing youth for opportunities in emerging sectors like green energy, AI, EV maintenance, and advanced manufacturing.

Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes –

Skill development updates from the government

Tamil Nadu opens seven ITIs exclusively for members and children of the TN Construction Workers Welfare Board, offering stipends and aid under the Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes.
NFDC introduces a fully residential 3D Animation and VFX course for aspiring professionals from India’s North Eastern region.
The UP Board allows recognised secondary and intermediate institutions to offer vocational job roles without separate recognition, thereby boosting access to skill education.
Pulwama administration hosts Entrepreneurship Mela under Mission YUVA to boost youth innovation, entrepreneurship skills, and awareness of government support schemes.
Since 2015, PMKVY has trained 1.6 crore youth, but only 24.3 lakh secured jobs; PMKVY 4.0 aims for broader career outcomes.
MEA launches first four projects under India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative, enhancing international cooperation and development partnerships.
Over 66,000 ITI seats remain vacant in Maharashtra despite three admission rounds for 2025-26 across government and private institutes.
HRD and IT Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri. Nara Lokesh, launched Naipunyam portal to connect skilled youth with employers in green energy, electronics, and bio-gas sectors.
Parliamentary panel flags delay in Skill India school labs setup; only 858 of targeted 1,200 have been established despite equipment delivery.
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS), Kalady, launches Vijnana Employment Project with Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission to boost final-year students’ employability; inauguration set for September.
Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan discussed establishing an Odisha Centre of Excellence for mining, logistics, and critical minerals skills with ministers in New Delhi.
Private ITIs in Kerala face declining admissions, with only 5-10% seats filled this year; institute numbers dropped from 500 to 245.
MoPSW to set up Rs 188-cr Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh, boosting northeast youth empowerment under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
NIRDPR signed MoUs with ten states to enhance rural project appraisal and skill development under DDU-GKY during a key workshop.
A brainchild of Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Member of Parliament, Shri Piyush Goyal, the North Mumbai Skill Centre has been developed into a world-class hub for youth skill development.

Skill development updates on CSR and Industry

Tamil Nadu apex skill development centre for logistics (TNASDCL) builds supply chain talent via academic initiatives with LSC, TVS, and industry partners.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approves $126.42M loan, $1M aid for sustainable, climate-resilient tourism at Uttarakhand’s Tehri Lake, boosting rural livelihoods and development.
India accelerates semiconductor growth, aiming to become a global manufacturing and design hub as the chip market heads towards $1 trillion by 2030.
The Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) held a three-day Training of Trainers workshop in Mumbai, boosting jewellery sector skills.
Schaeffler India launches Social Innovator Fellowship under CSR initiative HOPE to support youth-driven sustainable solutions for environmental and social challenges.
APM Terminals Pipavav opens advanced CNC Workshop in Rajula to boost rural youth skills with high-precision manufacturing training facilities.
AAI signed an MoU with NSDC and NSDF, contributing ₹5.25 crore and infrastructure to expand nationwide skill development initiatives.
Jindal Foundation launched Yashasvi’s fourth edition to empower 5,000+ women and girls from Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh through education and skills.

To know more, check out the latest updates on CSR and ESG initiatives that are creating a meaningful impact in skill development and education here: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/csr-and-esg-in-skill-education/

Skilling and upskilling in academia and emerging technologies

Twenty-four school boards seek dual category status to conduct training, assessment for vocational courses, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 goals.
Skyy Skill Academy and Tamil Nadu AutoSkills partner to boost state-wide automotive training in EV maintenance, diagnostics, and mobility services for youth.
Maharashtra Skill Education Department introduces 20 short-term courses in management, software, soft skills, and AI/ML under Startup, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Policy 2025.

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