This week’s NSN Newsbytes highlights key developments in India’s skill development and vocational training sectors. Andhra Pradesh aims to employ one lakh youth annually through APSSDC, while several states are strengthening industry-linked training through new partnerships and skill development centres. Initiatives in green energy, electric vehicles, digital technologies, logistics and agri-tourism are creating opportunities for specialised training and employment.
The updates also highlight efforts to improve access to technical education, promote women’s participation in ITIs and equip youth with practical, market-relevant skills. India’s performance at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 reflects the capabilities of its skilled workforce. Meanwhile, organisations such as Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Power Grid are contributing to skill development and innovation.
Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes –
Upcoming Webinar – How Can We Build Employability Into Everyday Teaching and Training?
NSN is organising a webinar on “How Can We Build Employability into Everyday Teaching and Training?”. The action-oriented session will explore practical ways for educators and trainers to integrate employability into everyday teaching and training, with examples they can apply.
Date: 15 October 2026
Time: 3:00 PM IST
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Apprenticeships
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) invited applications for Trade, Technician and Graduate Apprentices in its Western Region. Last date to apply: November 4, 2026. Click here to apply!
- Cochin Shipyard Limited invited applications for ITI Trade Apprentice positions at its Mumbai unit. Last date to apply: 19 October 2026. Click here to apply!
Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes
- Karnataka announced the second Bengaluru Skill Summit, scheduled for November 3-5, 2026, to advance skill development, entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities through stakeholder collaboration. Click here to read more!
- PM-SETU marks one year of transforming India’s ITIs, with 850 institutes identified, 14 clusters approved and ₹3,446 crore in proposed investments.
- India’s green economy could support 1.3 crore jobs by 2035, according to iFOREST, which calls for a National Green Jobs and Skilling Mission to bridge skill gaps.
National skill development updates
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Team India’s WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 participants, congratulating them on securing 10th place with six silver medals and 20 Medals for Excellence.
- Andhra Pradesh ranked second nationally in PMKVY utilisation. The state reported 5.43 lakh youth securing employment and livelihoods, with a 76% placement rate against the national average of 64%.
- The Centre expanded NAVYA 2.0 to 10 Odisha districts, offering vocational training to girls and young women aged 16-25 to enhance employability and livelihood opportunities.
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi emphasised that skill training institutes are as important as IITs and IIMs, urging youth to upgrade skills and adapt to emerging technologies.
- Union Minister Shri Pabitra Margherita stressed quality silkworm seeds, modern technology and skill development for sustainable sericulture, inaugurating a grainage building and cold-storage facility in Jorhat, Assam.
State-led Skill Initiatives
- Haryana CM Shri Nayab Singh Saini released a state skill gap study and 23 district reports to align industry requirements with youth training and employment opportunities.
- Nine students from Andhra Pradesh have begun a 10-month metallurgy training programme in Russia, gaining specialised technical skills and international industry exposure.
- Women are increasingly entering traditionally male-dominated ITI trades in Odisha, but female admissions remain low at just 14.6%, highlighting the need for greater inclusion.
- Jammu and Srinagar ITI clusters received a ₹475 crore boost under PM-SETU to modernise training infrastructure, strengthen industry partnerships and improve skilling opportunities.
- Uttarakhand Cabinet approved a ₹200 crore skill development scheme and skill diploma courses expected to benefit 1.19 lakh students, alongside revised private university regulations.
- Gujarat is training schoolteachers in career guidance to help students make informed career choices and improve the state’s Performance Grading Index (PGI) score.
- Nine students from a single ITI in Goa excelled in the All India Trade Test, highlighting the institute’s training quality and the potential of vocational education.
- Maharashtra Tourism Department partnered with Agri Tourism India to train farmers, rural youth and entrepreneurs in agri-tourism management, hospitality, digital marketing and sustainable tourism.
- Chhattisgarh signed an MoU with Singapore’s ITE Education Services to strengthen industry-aligned technical and vocational training, while securing a ₹350 crore agro-processing investment proposal.
- Odisha signed 15 MoUs with industry and educational partners to strengthen its skill ecosystem, expand industry-aligned training and improve youth employability across sectors.
- Maharashtra inaugurated India’s first dedicated Pet Care Education and Training Institute in Pune, offering recognised courses in grooming, pet handling and boarding, with a pilot course proposed at a Mumbai ITI.
- Meghalaya plans to establish three additional polytechnics to expand technical education access and strengthen skill development opportunities for students across the state.
- Manipur Deputy CM Shri Nemcha Kipgen distributed certificates to 17 Kangpokpi youth trained in tailoring and mobile repair, promoting self-employment and sustainable livelihoods.
- Sikkim partnered with Infosys to provide free access to its Springboard platform, offering youth and women digital learning, emerging technology courses and employability skills.
- Andhra Pradesh aims to provide jobs to one lakh youth annually through APSSDC, with plans to upgrade all 192 PMKVY centres and expand domestic and overseas employment opportunities.
Industry Partnerships for Employability
- SWITCH Mobility and Adhiyamaan College of Engineering, Hosur, signed an MoU to establish an EV Skill Development Centre offering hands-on training in electric commercial vehicle technologies.
- Adani Skills & Education and Kachchh University launched a Green Energy Centre of Excellence in Bhuj, Gujarat, offering specialised training to over 10,000 students annually.
- The MESC partnered with KlugKlug as its official Influencer Intelligence Platform to identify creator talent, develop skilling pathways and expand global creator economy opportunities.
- India’s logistics sector is projected to double to $600 billion by 2031–32, driven by infrastructure growth and policy reforms, as discussed at PRISM 2026, organised by the LSC.
- Toyota Kirloskar Motor won five Medallions for Excellence at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, with employees recognised in Mechatronics, Additive Manufacturing and Robot Systems Integration.
CSR initiatives in skills and livelihoods
- Castrol India and Smile Foundation launched the first Ujjwal Kal skilling centre in Kolkata, offering youth training in AI, digital technologies, retail and beauty and wellness, alongside placement assistance.
Higher Education and Emerging Skills
- Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) established a ₹17.19 crore Centre of Excellence at Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, to promote power-sector research, innovation and industry-relevant skill development.
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.
We compile and adapt these news snippets from various sources. If any source has objections or other concerns, please write to us at contact@nationalskillsnetwork.in, providing valid reasons, and we will remove the link to your content.
