Newsbytes from NSN on Skill and Education

From AI, digital technology and electric mobility to handloom technology, footwear manufacturing, maritime skills and financial literacy, this week’s NSN Newsbytes reflect the growing emphasis on preparing learners for emerging employment opportunities.

Several industry-led and CSR initiatives also focused on creating pathways for youth, women and underserved communities through specialised training and entrepreneurship programmes. International cooperation remained another key focus, with India engaging BRICS partners and strengthening collaborations in education and skills. Meanwhile, new vocational education programmes, teacher capacity-building initiatives and apprenticeship opportunities highlighted efforts to make education more experiential, technology-enabled and closely connected to industry needs.

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

Apprenticeships

SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant has invited applications for 1,110 Trade, Diploma and Graduate Apprentice positions under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Last date to apply: 26 August 2026. Click here to apply!

ISRO’s URSC invited applications for 410 Apprentice positions in Bengaluru, covering Graduate, Technician and Commercial Practice apprenticeships, with stipends up to ₹12,300 per month. Applications are open until August 28, 2026. Click here to apply!

Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes

Andhra Pradesh and Australia signed four MoUs to strengthen cooperation in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, inclusive education, mental health and skill development.
Twenty-nine Delhi government school students began academic and vocational programmes in Germany and Japan, gaining access to global learning and career opportunities.
India proposed a BRICS-wide skill gap study, vocational skills competition and best-practices compendium to strengthen technical and vocational education and workforce development.
PSSCIVE, NCERT launched a five-day capacity-building programme for 40 Master Trainers in AI and Digital Technology, strengthening digital competencies and AI-enabled teaching practices.

National skill development updates

Six DDU-GKY beneficiaries from six states have been invited as Special Guests for India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations, recognising rural skilling and livelihood transformation.
Tea Board India launched tea-tasting courses at DTRDC Kurseong to develop professionally trained tea tasters and sommeliers, strengthening quality, branding and market competitiveness.
BRICS officials discussed an education roadmap focused on joint initiatives, skills development, innovation and inclusive growth ahead of the Education Ministers’ Meeting.
At the BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting, India called for resilient, innovative and sustainable education systems to prepare youth for rapid technological and global changes.
PSSCIVE and DSERT Bengaluru commenced a five-day teacher capacity-building programme to strengthen middle-stage vocational education, aligned with NCF-SE 2023 and NEP 2020.

State-led Skill Initiatives

DoT and Madhya Pradesh signed an MoU to establish India’s first Telecom Manufacturing Zone in Gwalior, strengthening the country’s domestic telecom manufacturing ecosystem.
Bharatiya Shiksha Board signed MoUs with three Sector Skill Councils to integrate NSQF-aligned vocational courses into school education and promote employment-oriented skills.
Haryana plans AI hubs in Panchkula and Gurugram, alongside hard-skills training for two lakh youth, to strengthen employment and skill development infrastructure.
Goa expanded entrepreneurship education across all 10 government ITIs, training over 1,600 students to foster entrepreneurship, mentorship and job creation among skilled youth.
NIS Management secured a ₹7.93 crore DDU-GKY project in Odisha to train and place 1,200 rural youth over 24 months.
Tamil Nadu’s 2026–27 Budget proposes AI training for five lakh students, a ₹2,000-crore laptop scheme and industry-led skilling to prepare youth for technology careers.
CMPDI and CIPET Ranchi signed an MoA to provide residential skill training to 80 underprivileged youth in plastics processing and tool room operations.

Industry Partnerships for Employability

Samsung launched the 2026 Samsung Innovation Campus to train 20,000 youth across 10 states in AI, strengthening India’s future-ready talent pipeline.
Cognizant launched its first global Codex Hackathon with OpenAI, engaging 10,000 employees across six Indian cities to advance AI-led workforce transformation.
Samsung Innovation Campus is empowering young women in Maharashtra with AI skills, hands-on training and industry exposure, supporting careers in emerging technologies.
Uttar Pradesh and IBM partnered to expand AI, digital and industry-focused skill training, aiming to boost youth employability and access to modern technology careers.
Automotive Skills Development Council appointed Prasanna Pahade as CEO to strengthen industry-led skilling and prepare India’s workforce for evolving mobility and automotive technologies.
TCS opened its first AI Centre of Excellence in eastern India at Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata (HITK), training students in AI solutions and strengthening industry-academia collaboration.
THSC and Bharatiya Shiksha Board signed an MoU to introduce NSQF-aligned vocational programmes in schools, strengthening industry linkages and experiential learning under NEP 2020.
FinX launched the Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad 2026 to boost financial literacy among students, targeting 50,000 participants across 1,000 colleges.
Envalior India inaugurated an EV Technology Centre of Excellence in Pune, offering NSDC-certified training in electric vehicle servicing, diagnostics and maintenance.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor graduated 358 trainees and renewed MoUs with five ITIs, strengthening industry-academia collaboration and manufacturing-focused vocational education.
CGSSC and Tata Consulting Engineers launched Project UTKARSH to equip engineering students with industry-relevant skills for EPC, manufacturing and infrastructure careers.

CSR initiatives in skills and livelihoods

Ambuja Foundation and Venktesh Investment launched a skill training centre in Porbandar, Gujarat, aiming to train 1,100 youth over three years in industry-relevant skills.
SHM Shipcare and Medhavi Skills University partnered to strengthen maritime skilling through industry-integrated training in operations, safety, technical competencies and regulatory compliance.
NTPC Unchahar and CIPET Lucknow launched a CSR-led skill development programme for 60 unemployed youth, focusing on industry-relevant training and employability.
EIL launched a skill training centre for women in Greater Noida under Project Shakti, offering vocational training to around 300 underprivileged women annually.

Higher Education and Emerging Skills

CFTI Chennai launched admissions for NCVET-approved footwear courses, offering industry-oriented training to Class 10, 12, diploma and graduate students.
IIT Delhi inaugurated a Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology to modernise the sector through advanced technologies, innovation, research and sustainable practices.
Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh’s Advanced Credit Program awarded 1,856 industry certifications, integrating academic learning with globally relevant, career-oriented 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/

*IMPORTANT:

The Weekly Newsbytes on skills and education from NSN are curated and adapted from various sources with the sole objective of keeping our readers updated about the evolving skills industry in India.