As skilling, education, and entrepreneurship continue to shape India’s development, new initiatives are making learning more hands-on, inclusive, and aligned with industry needs. From AI skilling and green energy training to startup support and Dream Labs in schools, the momentum for future-ready education is growing rapidly.
In this edition of Newsbytes from NSN, we bring you the latest highlights, government policies, CSR initiatives, and academic partnerships driving vocational education and workforce development across India.
This week’s highlights in skill education
Apprenticeship Opportunities
Here are the latest apprenticeship opportunities for June 2025, including openings in power, railways, and science sectors. Don’t miss out—click the link to explore details and apply!
Central Bank of India has opened applications for 4,500 apprentice posts for 2025; graduates aged 20–28 can apply via the NATS portal. The last date is June 23rd, 2025.)
The Ultimate Resource Hub for Practical Training Tools
Skill-based education is the future! With NEP 2020, NCrF, and CBSE’s Composite Skill Labs, hands-on training is transforming education. But where can institutions find reliable insights on the best practical training tools?
Introducing SkillTech Studio – a collaboration between Nvis Technologies & NSN, designed as an information hub for schools. From Green Hydrogen & IoT Sensors to Robotics & Electrical Labs, access expert insights and resources to enhance practical learning.
Join a growing community shaping the future of technical education. Discover expert insights, explore the right tools, and take skill-based learning to the next level.
Skill development updates from the government
- NEEV, IIT Gandhinagar’s community outreach program, trained 209 rural youth and women in six skill development courses from April to June 2025, in partnership with Desai Foundation Trust and Milacron India.
- The government of Uttarakhand signed three MoUs with Tata Trusts, NASSCOM, and the Wadhwani Foundation to boost social development, tech-driven skill training, and student employability through the SETU Commission.
- NSTI-W Indore marked the 300th birth anniversary of Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar with a special event, where MSDE highlighted the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment through skill initiatives.
- At the 22nd India-Italy JCEC session, both nations agreed to collaborate on automobiles, space, green hydrogen, and biofuels, while prioritizing skill development, digital transformation, and sustainable mobility.
- AICTE has released guidelines for Apprenticeship Embedded Degree/Diploma Programmes, mandating 1–2 semesters of apprenticeship to integrate practical training into engineering and diploma courses.
- The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a pact with Cyient Foundation and AICTE to boost entrepreneurial and innovation skills through a collaborative initiative involving APSSDC.
- The government of Maharashtra has directed ITI students to be offered apprenticeships within their home districts to boost local employment and reduce relocation.
- DGT and Shell India have launched a Green Skills and EV training program across select ITIs and NSTIs in five states, offering hands-on training, co-branded certification, and placement support in green energy and e-mobility.
- The Uttar Pradesh government has signed an MoU with Tata Nelco and Yaskawa to set up ‘Dream Labs’ in secondary schools, integrating skill-based education in robotics and industrial automation.
Skill development updates on CSR, Industry
- The Institution of Industrial Research and Development Confederation (IIRDC) is emerging as a national leader in vocational education and workforce readiness, offering globally benchmarked, industry-aligned certifications to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world skills.
- NLC India Ltd and NPTI launched a skill development course on Renewable Energy and Grid Interface Technology for 25 Project Affected Persons, aiming to bridge the skill gap and empower displaced communities.
- OpenAI has partnered with the IndiaAI Mission under MeitY to launch OpenAI Academy India, its first international education platform, to expand AI learning access across diverse groups in the country.
- Knauf India has launched a nationwide Mobile Training Academy to upskill over 25,000 construction workers in drywall and ceiling installation, bringing hands-on training directly to sites across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.
- Freudenberg Group has announced the expansion of its training institute in Nagapattinam, focusing on empowering local communities through new facilities, computer labs, and career-oriented programs.
- RMIT University and CII have released a joint paper to strengthen Australia-India collaboration in vocational education, focusing on innovative training models, scalable partnerships, and future-ready skill pathways.
- CII, in collaboration with ITC Hotels and EHL, plans to expand its 18-month hospitality training diploma to over 250 schools, aiming to meet rising industry demand.
- The Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) under the RAMP scheme concluded in Pampore, with participants encouraged to pursue ventures that support local economic growth.
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $109.97 million loan to boost skills development in Gujarat by enhancing training infrastructure and expanding industry-aligned courses through Kaushalya: The Skill University.
- The government of Andhra Pradesh has partnered with NVIDIA to establish an AI University and foster a robust AI ecosystem through skilling, research, and startup support.
- HCLFoundation has signed two MoUs with the Tamil Nadu government to boost entrepreneurship and vocational education, including support for 100 startups over the next three years.
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
- A higher education guidance and counselling centre was inaugurated at the Theni Collectorate, set up by the School Education Department in collaboration with the Theni District Administration.
- Seventeen open universities formed the Indian Public Open Universities Association (IPOUA) to boost vocational education and employability, as announced at a national workshop hosted by IGNOU and CEMCA.
- Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, launched a new B.Tech in Defence Technology program, aiming to boost self-reliance in defence, with DRDO advisor Manish Bhardwaj and MoUs signed with industry partners.
- CBSE has launched an initiative to equip school principals and counselors with the skills and tools needed to guide students on careers, scholarships, internships, and vocational training opportunities.
- The Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical & Engineering Training has opened admissions for its 2025–2027 Vessel Navigator and Marine Fitter courses across Kochi, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam to train Class 10 pass-outs for careers in the marine and fisheries sector.
- An educational guidance cell has been set up at the Tiruchi Collectorate to assist students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, in making informed higher education choices and boosting enrollment.
- Telangana’s State Institute of Vocational Education (SIVE) has invited online applications for affiliation and additional sections for its July–December 2025 Short Term Vocational Certificate Courses.
- CBSE and ASDC have launched the National Automobile Olympiad 2025 to build automotive skills among students from Classes 6 to 12 across CBSE-affiliated schools.
*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, giving valid reasons, and we will remove the link to your content.