Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on Skill Development and Education – 31st March 2026

This week’s NSN Newsbytes capture a wide spectrum of developments shaping India’s skilling and education landscape, as well as key global trends. Internationally, Germany’s move to ease norms to attract Indian talent, and MNRE’s invitation of proposals from states for skilling under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, to build a trained workforce and support India’s global leadership in green hydrogen. In India, policy momentum remains strong with initiatives like the India Skill Accelerator, UDAN’s expansion into skilling and solar training, NIOS outreach for universal enrolment, and targeted funding by NITI Aayog to boost women’s entrepreneurship.

Government and institutional efforts continue to emphasise employability and future-ready skills, highlighted by the Vice-President’s address on industry-aligned education and the national conference on Open and Distance Learning. States are advancing innovation and capacity building through new policies, budget allocations, and grassroots programmes, while Haryana’s focus on tracking placements and organising job fairs strengthens employment pathways. Industry collaborations, from drone training and AI, IoT skilling to hospitality workforce development, are enhancing job readiness. At the same time, CSR and community initiatives, along with programmes like Nagaland’s PACES, are expanding access to skills, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihood opportunities, reflecting a coordinated push toward a robust skilling ecosystem.

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

Tata STRIVE Job Openings – AI-driven job roles in the ITI ecosystem

Tata STRIVE, an initiative of the Tata Community Initiatives Trust (TCIT), is inviting applications for multiple roles supporting AI-enabled skilling initiatives across Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in India. These roles are part of a nationwide effort to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into non-IT vocational trades such as Electrical, Mechanical, Automotive, and Fashion Technology. Interested candidates can apply and submit their resume here. Click here!

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!

Apprenticeship opportunities – Apply Now!

• South Central Railway has invited applications for 2,801 apprentice posts across technical trades under the Apprentices Act. Online applications are open from March 12, 2026. The last date to apply is April 11, 2026. Click here to Apply!
• South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has announced 1,700 apprenticeship vacancies for graduate, technician, and fresher roles across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Applications are being accepted online, with the last date to apply set as March 31, 2026. Click here to Apply!

Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes 

• Germany is easing visa and language norms to attract Indian talent, addressing skilled workforce shortages driven by an ageing population and slowing demographic growth.
• MNRE invited proposals from states for skilling under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to build a trained workforce and support India’s global leadership in green hydrogen. Read more
• A national conference on Open and Distance Learning was inaugurated at BRAOU, Hyderabad, bringing together institutions to discuss the future and evolving landscape of ODL in India.
• Nagaland launched PACES, a seven-day employability training programme to equip youth with practical skills, enhance job readiness, and promote self-employment opportunities through collaborative initiatives.

Government-led programmes strengthening India’s skilling ecosystem

• Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed Ratan Tata Skills University’s first convocation, emphasising skill development, employability, industry-aligned education, and new-age technologies for India’s skilled workforce growth.
• NITI Aayog approved ₹1.55 crore to support RISE centre programmes in NTR district, Andhra Pradesh, focusing on women entrepreneurship, AI-based skills survey, training, and infrastructure development.
• MSDE partnered with WEF to launch the India Skill Accelerator, a multi-stakeholder platform to bridge skill gaps, strengthen TVET, and align training with industry and NEP 2020 goals.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs hosted a national CSR conclave in New Delhi on tribal empowerment, bringing together government leaders, PSUs, and private sector partners to strengthen collaboration.
• The government will expand NIOS outreach to enrol out-of-school children nationwide, aiming for 100% school enrolment by 2030 through flexible open schooling initiatives.
• Shri Harikesh Meena, IAS (2012 batch), has been appointed Director in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship under the Central Staffing Scheme for a five-year term.
• Ministry of Tourism and ATOAI conducted an adventure guide training programme in Bhopal, enhancing skills, safety standards, and capacity-building for professionals in India’s adventure tourism sector.
• The government expanded the UDAN scheme to include skill development and solar installation training, linking regional connectivity with employment generation and clean energy opportunities in underserved areas.

State governments driving skills and innovation

• Madhya Pradesh launched SpaceTech Policy-2026 to boost innovation, research, and manufacturing, aiming to position the state as a key hub in India’s growing space economy.
• Mizoram Governor inaugurated a Skills Development Conclave, emphasising youth skilling, entrepreneurship, and global opportunities while encouraging alignment with cultural values and service sector growth.
• The Garment Exporters Association of Rajasthan set up a training and research centre in Jaipur to address skill gaps and support workforce development in the garment industry.
• SCSTE Meghalaya concluded a Green Skill Development Programme training youth as bamboo craft micro-entrepreneurs, supported by MoEF&CC and implemented with NECBDC to promote sustainable livelihoods.
• Srinagar’s Social Welfare Department conducted vocational training under Mission Shakti, equipping students with practical skills and promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment through expert-led sessions.
• Leverage Careers partnered with TNSDC under Vetri Nichyam to train nursing candidates in Tamil Nadu and support international placements, starting with a centre in Vellore.
• Telangana allocated ₹26,674 crore for education in 2026 – 27, increasing its budget share, with major funding for secondary, higher education, and skill training initiatives.
• Goa recorded a 92.6% Class XII pass rate in 2026, with improved performance in arts and vocational streams contributing to the highest-ever results.
• Karnataka will introduce vocational education and industry-aligned skills in public schools from 2026 – 27, along with early computer education and certification supported by industry partners.
• Ladakh hosted a two-day training programme on medicinal plant cultivation, engaging farmers and stakeholders to promote sustainable healthcare, traditional medicine, and livelihood opportunities through skill development.
• The Tripura Assembly passed a Bill to establish Dhanvantari Skill University in Agartala, amid opposition protests, aiming to promote technology-driven skill education in the state.
• Haryana has 668 PMKVY 4.0 training centres offering 600+ courses in emerging sectors like AI, robotics, drones, and cybersecurity to enhance youth employability.
• Kerala’s VHSE wing received NCVET’s AB-Dual status, enabling it to design and approve courses aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework.
• Sikkim’s Gyalshing district hosted an entrepreneurs’ meet under SIKKIM INSPIRES, promoting rural innovation, skill development, and market linkages to strengthen livelihoods and local enterprise growth.
• Haryana will develop a digital portal to track ITI trainee placements and apprenticeship data, while organising district-level job fairs to boost youth employment opportunities.

Industry collaborations boosting job-ready talent

• AVPL International, with TSSC, set up a Drone Centre of Excellence in Mumbai to provide practical UAV training and build industry-ready skills for India’s growing drone sector.
• Samsung certified 1,000 Uttar Pradesh students in AI, coding, and IoT under its Innovation Campus, taking the total beneficiaries in the state to 4,900.
• HRAAP partnered with SDI Visakhapatnam to address hospitality skill shortages, focusing on training for roles like F&B service, housekeeping, front office, and chefs amid rising tourism demand.
• Swiss School of Beauty launched eight new centres across cities, including Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Nashik, expanding vocational training and meeting rising demand for globally skilled beauty professionals.
• Garuda Aerospace secured a REIL contract to set up a DGCA-approved drone pilot training centre in Jaipur, with a 10-year authorisation for RPAS operations training.
• NCB signed an MoU with UltraTech Cement to strengthen the construction sector skilling through training, certification, and capacity-building programmes for engineers, workers, and contractors across India.
• Tata Power, with ICICI Foundation, launched a skill training centre in Prayagraj to train youth and women in power, renewable energy, and allied sectors.
• Maruti Suzuki is increasing women’s participation on shopfloors, with over 190 women working in core production roles across Gurugram and Manesar manufacturing plants.

CSR initiatives supporting education and livelihoods

• realme signed an MoU with iHub AWaDH, IIT Ropar, to set up six school tinkering labs promoting innovation, IoT, robotics, and skill development among students.
• Casio India launched a CSR initiative with Manzil Mystics to promote music education, skill-based training, and livelihood opportunities for underserved children and aspiring musicians.
• ChangeX partnered with Google to launch the Udaan India Fund, supporting community projects in Visakhapatnam focused on upskilling, small businesses, and environmental sustainability, with regional expansion plans.
• NeoGrowth strengthened its CSR initiative, NeoShakti, focusing on women’s empowerment through livelihood creation and skill development, partnering with Goonj and Times Employ India Foundation for impactful interventions.

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/

Emerging tech and industry partnerships in higher education

• ITM Vocational University secured a design registration for a solar-powered grass cutter, highlighting innovation in sustainable agricultural technology and student-led applied research.
• CCI approved Coursera’s USD 2.5 billion all-stock acquisition of Udemy, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary, with shareholders holding 59% and 41% stakes respectively.

*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.