This week’s NSN Newsbytes highlights significant developments across apprenticeships, workforce readiness, industry partnerships and education reforms. From new apprenticeship opportunities at leading organisations such as ISRO, DRDO and NIACL to Team India’s preparation for the Global Skills Challenge 2026, the focus remained on building a future-ready workforce.
States introduced innovative initiatives in vocational education, digital learning, entrepreneurship and employability, while industry and academia strengthened collaborations in emerging sectors including semiconductors, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing. Meanwhile, policy discussions and research highlighted evolving employment trends, reinforcing the need for stronger industry engagement, skill development and formal workforce participation.
Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes –
India – Australia Toolkit to Strengthen Applied Learning in Secondary Schools
A new Toolkit developed by the Australia India Institute and partner institutions will help Indian secondary schools integrate applied learning into mainstream education. Aligned with NEP 2020, it offers practical resources for curriculum design, pedagogy, assessment, and industry partnerships, thereby strengthening India-Australia education collaboration. Download the Toolkit here!
Apprenticeships opportunities
- ISRO has invited applications for Graduate, Diploma and ITI Apprentice Trainee positions at ISTRAC, offering hands-on training opportunities across multiple technical disciplines. Last date to apply: 11 July 2026. Click here to Apply!
- NIACL has announced recruitment for 550 Apprentice positions, offering one-year industry training to graduates under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme. Last date to apply: 6 July 2026. Click here to Apply!
- DRDO’s Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) has invited applications for 77 Graduate, Diploma and ITI Apprentice positions, offering one-year training in advanced defence technologies. Last date to apply: 22 July 2026. Click here to Apply!
Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes
- MSDE has sent Team India to Australia for the Global Skills Challenge 2026, strengthening competitors’ readiness for the WorldSkills Competition 2026 in Shanghai.
- Six youth-led startups won the Youth Co National Innovation Challenge 2026 for developing sustainable innovations, promoting entrepreneurship and advancing India’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
National skill development updates
- Apprenticeship applications under NAPS fell to a six-year low in 2025 despite available vacancies, highlighting the need to strengthen awareness, industry participation and candidate engagement.
- MSDE will host Kaushal Mahotsav Warangal 2026, bringing together 50+ employers to offer over 5,000 jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for skilled youth across Telangana.
- An EAC-PM study found graduates are 43.8% less likely to work in informal jobs, highlighting higher education and skill training as key drivers of formal employment.
State initiatives driving skilling and innovation
- Uttar Pradesh has expanded the Blue DotsAI employment initiative across all 18 divisions, connecting youth, women and skilled workers with local job opportunities through digital facilitation.
- Ladakh launched a three-day Training of Trainers programme to build a network of entrepreneurship mentors, strengthen enterprise development, and foster a vibrant startup ecosystem.
- Sikkim concluded a skill upgradation programme in cutting and stitching under the RAMP Scheme, enhancing garment manufacturing skills and strengthening MSME-led employment opportunities.
- Punjab has launched a skill development initiative for children in care institutions, providing vocational training to enhance employability, self-reliance and future livelihood opportunities.
- Maharashtra has approved Mumbai’s first private skill university and a ₹4,000-crore ITI modernisation programme to strengthen industry-aligned technical education and workforce development.
- Gujarat has approved the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board’s skill initiatives to strengthen vocational education and enhance students’ industry-ready competencies.
- Manipur reaffirmed its commitment to NEP 2020, emphasising mother tongue-based learning, vocational education and effective policy implementation through a state-level education reform workshop.
- Andhra Pradesh has become the first state to provide statewide access to Canva for Education, advancing digital learning, creativity and future-ready skills across government schools.
- Chandigarh has expanded 30 skill-based elective courses to all government senior secondary schools, strengthening vocational education and preparing students with industry-relevant, future-ready competencies.
- Tripura is adopting Odisha’s World Skill Centre model to establish an Employability Hub in Agartala, strengthening advanced skilling, industry partnerships and youth employment opportunities.
Industry partnerships and workforce readiness
- INOX India and ITM SLS Baroda University will establish a Centre of Excellence to train semiconductor-ready talent in precision manufacturing, fabrication and process technologies.
- Maruti Suzuki has partnered with the Gujarat government to establish Advanced Manufacturing Labs at five ITIs, enhancing industry-aligned technical training and employability under the Skill India mission.
- Group Legrand India has launched the Legrand Institute for Training & Education in Thane to train over 1,000 beneficiaries annually in industry-relevant electrical skills.
CSR initiatives in skills and livelihoods
- Cyient Foundation has partnered with Telangana universities and government institutions to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, employability and future-ready skills through a collaborative higher education ecosystem.
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/
Higher education, technology and digital skills
- Amity University Bengaluru and LTTS have partnered to establish an E-Mobility Centre of Excellence, strengthening industry-ready skills, research and innovation in electric mobility technologies.
- Bholanath College has launched a skill development internship under NEP 2020, combining vocational training with academic credits to promote employability and self-reliance among students.
*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 new 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.
