Saturday, November 1, 2025
NSN
NTTF_mini_web_banner
SGSU-banner-1
Didac India & Skills Combined NSN Banner-01
  • Home
  • Conversations
    • Industry Conversations
    • All Conversations
  • Perspectives
    • Education
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Government Initiatives
    • Industry
    • Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
    • NEP 2020
    • Skill Training
  • News
    • Latest Updates
    • News Archives
    • CSR and ESG in Skill Education
    • Skill Development e-Magazine
    • NSN PDF Newsletter Archives
  • Videos
    • Explainers
    • Panel Discussions
    • Student Stories
    • Video Conversations
  • Resources
    • Apprenticeship
    • e-Books
    • Resources
    • Success Stories
  • Events
    • Workshops
  • About us
    • Our Team
    • Our Clients
    • Our Services
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
NSN
  • Home
  • Industry Conversations
  • Perspectives
    • Education
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Government Initiatives
    • Industry
    • Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
    • NEP 2020
    • Skill Training
  • News
    • Latest Updates
    • News Archives
    • Skill Development e-Magazine
    • NSN PDF Newsletter Archives
  • Resources
    • Apprenticeship
    • E-books
    • Resources
    • Success Stories
  • Events
    • Workshops
  • About us
    • Our Team
    • Our Clients
    • Our Services
    • Privacy Policy
NSN
No Result
View All Result
Home Perspectives Skill Training

Sustainability in skill development

Madhuri Dubey by Madhuri Dubey
January 27, 2021
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
2

Multi-stakeholder partnerships and strategic collaborations form an integral part of skill development initiatives in India. However, in such partnerships, sustainability and effectiveness of the programme have remained a matter of concern. Can the government and the private sector engage in long-term partnership to build sustainable skilling models that can be replicated across India? To answer this question, let’s look at an example from the Tata STRIVE-Bagchi Life Skills Programme being offered in government ITIs in Odisha.

In 2017, the programme started in ITIs in 10 districts that resulted in training 6300 students in the first year and then it was extended to 10 more ITIs with an aim to train 12000 students in next two years. This collaboration with Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) is intended improve the employability of the students by deploying trained Tata STRIVE faculty, who use Inquiry Based and Project Based learning techniques. In addition, modules such as quality, design thinking safety, sustainability mind set add to the NCVT curriculum.

Initially, the programme was financially supported by various foundations, HNIs and corporates while Tata STRIVE and OSDA jointly worked on creating an environment of ‘acceptance of change’ in fact the Tata STRIVE faculty were called ‘Change Leaders. Gradually, the programme has shaped up as a self-sustainable project that can be scaled across the state with government funding and support and withstand the test of time. It’s the journey from experimentation to proof of concept to adoption supported by appropriate funding models marks milestones in achieving sustainability.

“You cannot build a sustainable skill development programme on day-one; sustainability gets built over a long period and it’s a journey. In the case of OSDA, we have built an ecosystem that can support even after Tata STRIVE moves out. Our role as a catalyst has demonstrated how sustainability, quality and scalability are significant aspects of any impactful skilling intervention”, says Anita Rajan, CEO, Tata STRIVE.

What is outstanding in this case is how the immersive elements of the program and its consistent results have enhanced confidence and conviction in the government.
The government’s readiness to fund the programme is the direct result of its rich experience, combined with the efficiency of the model in being expanded to more ITIs and delivering consistently in terms of quality. This also shows how scalability was built into the system, laterally.

Tata STRIVE-Bagchi Life Skills Programme
Learning in progress at Tata STRIVE-Bagchi Life Skills Programme

Being sustainable, by definition, means the ability or capacity of something to be maintained or to sustain itself, it should continue forever, with endurance of systems and processes. This can be achieved only through multi-stakeholder engagement where the skill development and vocational training institutions, the government and the industry come together to design and build sustainable programs. And, it would be based on models that are replicable, adaptable, inclusive and sustainable.

“The criteria to be followed for scaling any skill development program are, it should be replicable, relevant, standardized, transferable, localized”, further elaborates Ms. Rajan.

Ensuring sustainability, financial stability and quality

Sustainability in skill development in India can be interpreted in multiple ways. It must also enable sustainable livelihoods for the youth, in addition to delivering quality, having scalability built-in and of course, the economic and social nuances that always and must always accompany efforts towards ensuring sustainability.

Financial stability is one of the primary aspects when it comes to attaining sustainability in skill development which is presently highly dependent on CSR funds. While we need new financial models to demonstrate that a course or a programme is of value to various stakeholders, gradually, the courses should become self-sustainable without any external financial support.

This is necessary as the past experience shows many training centres were shutting down for being completely dependent on CSR funds and the impact of Covid-19. Financial dependency will also restrict the expansion of the programs to different locations or adopt technology to offer the courses in blended models.

ITI Tata STRIVE Bagchi Lifeskills Development Programme
ITI Tata STRIVE-Bagchi Lifeskills Development Programme

Along with funding, ecosystem changes in technology-enabled vocational education and skill development are the need of the hour. Technology holds a critical place in terms of scale and quality. “It is the standardization that comes with technology in enrolment, mobilization, counselling, and more. This can be replicated and this enables scale”, says Ameya Vanjari, Head, Technology and Innovation, Tata STRIVE. Moreover, “both government and the private sector, i.e., the industry have to go hand in hand to improve and strengthen the ecosystem”, adds Ameya.

Ensuring quality in skill development programs and training is crucial in creating sustainable models. Quality does not just mean the kind of courses that are offered, but the standardisation of the methodology, the curriculum and the outcomes, are some of the points that need to be addressed. “The path we have taken is far deeper than interventions in quality to govern and manage the programme. For instance, how do you engage youth whose level of confidence is low and how do we get dropouts back into the habit of learning?”, says Ameya.

Also, quality has a direct impact on student retention and controlling attrition. Bhaskar Natarajan, Head, Programme Execution, Tata STRIVE emphasizes this aspect when says, “sustainability of quality is when students are able to find a job and stay on for considerable period after skills training.” Talking about how parents perceive quality in skill development, Bhaskar adds, “parents who influence students career choices prefer big brands as they it makes them feel secure about their future”.

The trainers, who actually execute various programs, need a focused orientation in maintaining quality in everything they do.  Sudhakar Gudipati, Head, Programme Development and Partnerships, Tata STRIVE, puts forward “efforts or investments are being made in developing infrastructure but not so much into faculty development. But we must not forget that the good trainers will automatically impact the overall quality of the program and skills delivery.”

Read more from Tata STRIVE here – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/tata-strive/

The Tata STRIVE – OSDA project clearly demonstrates how sustainability, scalability and quality are the three pillars of any successful partnership. It takes time and concerted effort to build various elements that make the programme stand on its own, right from generating funds to ensuring that the program is executed efficiently. For many training organizations and governments that are keen on exploring partnerships to build stable models, the Tata STRIVE model shows how sustainable skill development really works.

RelatedPosts

Transferable Skills: Why they are essential for employability and career growth

From Classroom to Workshop: The Disconnect Between ITI Training and Industry Needs in Jammu and Kashmir

NTTF at WorldSkills: Preparing India’s Youth for WorldSkills 2026

Tags: government ITIs in OdishaSkill India with TatasSustainability in skill development programsTata Skill developmentTata STRIVETata STRIVE-Bagchi Life Skills Programme
WhatsApp Join our WhatsApp channel for more updates:
WhatsApp Join Now!
YouTube Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more updates:
YouTube Subscribe Now!
Previous Post

L&T Skill Trainers Academy

Next Post

Why Industry-academia collaborations are instrumental in leading the country towards innovation

Madhuri Dubey

Madhuri Dubey

Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder and Director of NSN, brings over 25 years of experience in training, curriculum design, and technology-enabled learning. Dedicated to vocational training and work-integrated education, her expertise lies in creating awareness and promoting skill development through applied learning, supported by in-depth research and analysis.

Next Post
Why Industry-academia collaborations are instrumental in leading the country towards innovation

Why Industry-academia collaborations are instrumental in leading the country towards innovation

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Result
View All Result
samplead3 samplead1

Subscribe to our e-Magazine

Trending Topics

skilling in India (131) National Skill Development Corporation - NSDC (127) skill development news India (124) skill development (114) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship MSDE (101) vocational education (93) Apprenticeships (86) skill development news (79) skill development programs (70) Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) (68)

Follow us

  • State-led Skill Development Initiatives Shaping India’s Future Workforce  India’s skill ecosystem continues to evolve with powerful new initiatives shaping employability, innovation, and industry collaboration across states.  From AI integration and apprenticeship-linked degrees to entrepreneurship drives and global partnerships; every initiative reflects a growing commitment to making India’s youth future-ready.  Here’s a quick look at some of the latest developments driving transformation in skill development, education, and work-integrated learning across the country.  Click here to read more: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/weekly-newsbytes-from-nsn-on-skill-development-and-education-28th-october-2025/  Want your state’s skill development story featured? Reach out to us at NSN!  #skilldevelopment #SkillIndia #vocationaleducation
  • Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025: Innovation, Inclusion and Future-Ready Talent  The Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025 marks a major milestone in Karnataka’s journey toward a skills-first future. In this conversation, Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder and Director of NSN, spoke with Mr. N N Rao, Technical Advisor, Karnataka Skill Development Authority, about the state’s Skill Development Policy 2.0 and the practical steps being taken to turn policy into measurable progress.  Watch this conversation to explore:
 ✅ Karnataka’s Skill Development Policy 2.0
 ✅ Skills-first future and employability vision for 2030
 ✅ Inclusion, innovation, and impact in skill development
 ✅ Green and digital skills for sustainable growth
 ✅ How the upcoming summit will unite government, industry, academia, and youth  Click on the link in our story highlights to watch the full video!  #BengaluruSkillSummit2025 #SkillDevelopment #Workforce2030 #FutureSkills 
#IndustryAcademia #VocationalEducation
  • Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025: Karnataka’s Skill Vision for 2030  In this conversation, Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder and Director of National Skills Network (NSN), spoke with Dr. E. V. Ramana Reddy, Chairman of the Karnataka Skill Development Authority on the upcoming Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025.  The discussion focused on the vision, policy focus, and key initiatives shaping Karnataka’s skilling ecosystem.  You can watch the full video via link in our story/ bio  #BengaluruSkillSummit #SkillDevelopment #FutureOfWork #Innovation #Leadership #Workforce2030 #PartnershipsForProgress
  • We’re proud to join hands with the Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025 as an Association Partner! 🤝  Organised by the Government of Karnataka, through the Skill Development Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department, Government of Karnataka (SDEL), Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC), Karnataka State Department of Agriculture (KSDA) and Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), the summit will bring together leaders from government, industry, academia, and youth to power the next wave of India’s skilling revolution.  This year’s summit will bring together leaders and changemakers shaping the future of India’s skilling, innovation, and workforce transformation.  🌐 3,000+ Participants
 🎤100+ Speakers
 🏢 100+ Exhibitors
 🤝25+ Media Partners  Be part of this transformative platform that unites government, industry, academia, and youth, driving India’s workforce vision for 2030.  📅 4–6 November 2025
 📍 The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru  Visit https://bengaluruskillsummit.com/ to know more.  Register Now: https://konfhub.com/bengaluru-skill-summit-2025  #BengaluruSkillSummit | #SkillDevelopment | #FutureOfWork | #Innovation | #Leadership | #Workforce2030 | #PartnershipsForProgress
  • Team NSN wishes you a very Happy Diwali! ✨️  #diwali #diwali2025
  • We’re proud to join hands with the Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025 as an Association Partner! 🤝  Organised by the Government of Karnataka , through the Skill Development Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department, Government of Karnataka (SDEL), Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC), Karnataka State Department of Agriculture (KSDA) and Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), the summit will bring together leaders from government, industry, academia, and youth to power the next wave of India’s skilling revolution.  This year’s summit will bring together leaders and changemakers shaping the future of India’s skilling, innovation, and workforce transformation.  🌐 3,000+ Participants
 🎤100+ Speakers
 🏢 100+ Exhibitors
 🤝25+ Media Partners  Be part of this transformative platform that unites government, industry, academia, and youth, driving India’s workforce vision for 2030.  📅 4–6 November 2025
 📍 The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru  Visit https://bengaluruskillsummit.com/  to know more.  Register Now: https://konfhub.com/bengaluru-skill-summit-2025  #BengaluruSkillSummit #SkillDevelopment #FutureOfWork #Innovation #Leadership  #Workforce2030 #PartnershipsForProgress
  • We are excited to partner with Bengaluru Skill Summit as the Association Partner for the Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025.  We look forward to contributing to this impactful platform that brings together government, industry, and academia to advance India’s skill development and workforce transformation.  Let’s make this summit a milestone for the skilling ecosystem!  📅 4–6 November 2025 | The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru  #BengaluruSkillSummit2025 #SkillsForFuture #SkillingIndia #SkillDevelopment
  • India’s electronics industry is rapidly emerging as a global hub for innovation, manufacturing, and design.  With advances in semiconductors, embedded systems, IoT, and automation, the demand for skilled professionals has never been higher.  From production and testing to chip design and system integration, this sector is creating diverse career opportunities for youth and professionals across all levels.  At the heart of this growth is skilling; empowering a workforce that’s ready for future technologies and capable of driving innovation across industries.  Explore how India’s electronics ecosystem is evolving through skills, education, and entrepreneurship.  #ElectronicsIndustry #SkillDevelopment #Semiconductors #STEMEducation
  • Myth vs Fact – India’s Textile Industry  India’s textile industry is evolving beyond traditional spinning and weaving. 
Today, technical textiles, from Meditech to Sportstech, are creating new opportunities that demand advanced skills in CAD design, machine operation, and material science.  It’s time to move past the myths and recognise textiles as a future-ready, skill-driven industry.  Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel!  #Textile #textileindustry #mythvsfacts

About us

National Skills Network (NSN) captures and shares the positive impact of various training, skill development and vocational education initiatives in India.

To know more about Our Team: Click here

Address

NSN Digital Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
CIN: U74999TG2020PTC147299
MSME: UDYAM-TS-09-0086473
Gachibowli, Hyderabad – 500032

Email us: contact@nationalskillsnetwork.com

Important Links

  • Conversations
  • Perspectives
  • News
  • Skill Development e-Magazine
  • Resources
  • Our Team
  • Our Clients
  • Partner with us
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Content Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

© National Skills Network Content licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0. Commercial use requires permission.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Conversations
    • Industry Conversations
    • All Conversations
  • Perspectives
    • Education
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Government Initiatives
    • Industry
    • Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
    • NEP 2020
    • Skill Training
  • News
    • Latest Updates
    • News Archives
    • CSR and ESG in Skill Education
    • Skill Development e-Magazine
    • NSN PDF Newsletter Archives
  • Videos
    • Explainers
    • Panel Discussions
    • Student Stories
    • Video Conversations
  • Resources
    • Apprenticeship
    • e-Books
    • Resources
    • Success Stories
  • Events
    • Workshops
  • About us
    • Our Team
    • Our Clients
    • Our Services
    • Privacy Policy

© National Skills Network Content licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0. Commercial use requires permission.