This week brings significant developments in skill education and employment. From MSDE’s ITI Upgradation initiative to the Graduate Skill Index 2025, new apprenticeship opportunities with Union Bank of India and IOCL, and the PM Internship Scheme’s second round, several key initiatives are shaping India’s skilling landscape. Meanwhile, MoUs with Japan and Singapore signal stronger global collaborations in education and workforce development.
In this edition of Newsbytes from NSN, we bring you the latest on government policies, industry-driven skilling, CSR initiatives, and updates from NEP 2020, UGC, and NCVET. Dive in to see how these developments are driving the future of education and employment in India.
Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes,
This week’s highlights in skill education
MSDE issues RFP for Consultancy Firm to support ITI Upgradation under new scheme
The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the selection of a Consultancy Firm/Agency to establish a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) supporting the implementation of the “National Scheme for ITI Upgradation”. The last date has extended to February 26th, 2025 (1700 Hrs). Click here to know more!
Meghalaya State Skill Development Society – EOI for Coaching Institutes
The Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), Department of Labour, Employment & Skill Development, invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from leading coaching institutes to provide a minimum of 150 hours of training to 2,500 aspirants for aptitude-based competitive exams and government job recruitment tests (MPSC, SSC, Bank, Police, PSUs).
The last date for submission is February 27, 2025, and detailed EOI information is available https://mssds.nic.in/doc/EOI_for_ECI.pdf.
UNICEF YuWaah Invites RFP for Program Management Units for Two-Year Partnership
UNICEF YuWaah has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to onboard Program Management Units (PMUs) for a two-year period to oversee and ensure the successful implementation of the program under the supervision of the YuWaah Secretariat.
The last date to apply is March 6th, 2025 (GMT 5:30).
To apply, click the link: Apply Here https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/259318
Skill development updates from the government
- PM Internship Scheme launches its second round with 1 lakh paid internships across top sectors like Oil & Gas, Banking, Hospitality, Automotive, and Manufacturing; applications open until March 12, 2025.
- The government of Assam has announced MoUs with Japan and Singapore for education and skill development, including a Japan Language Testing Centre ahead of Advantage Assam 2.0.
- The 42nd NSQC meeting, led by MSDE Secretary Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, approved 363 NSQF-aligned qualifications, including AI and semiconductor courses, and standardized certification templates.
- DGT, MSDE partners with Subros Ltd under Flexi MoU to provide hands-on training in automobile AC manufacturing, ensuring placements for at least 50% of candidates.
- The Uttar Pradesh government expanded ‘Project Praveen’ to 650 government secondary schools on March 4, enhancing skill development and job readiness for students across all districts.
- The Uttarakhand government and Tata Technologies have signed an MoU to upgrade 13 ITIs with Industry 4.0 courses and modern equipment, investing ₹423.54 crore to enhance youth employability.
- Nagaland held a meeting to promote the AVGC-XR sector, bringing together key departments, including Higher Education, IT&C, Tourism, and Skill Development, to discuss growth strategies.
Apprenticeship opportunities 2025
Union Bank of India Apprentice Recruitment 2025
Union Bank of India (UBI) has released an official notification for the engagement of 2,691 apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961 for a one-year duration. Candidates must have a graduation degree from a recognized university or institution approved by the Government of India or its regulatory bodies.
- Online application start date: February 19, 2025
- Last date to apply: March 5, 2025
- Detailed notification and to apply: Click here
IOCL Pipelines Division Apprentice Recruitment 2025
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) (Pipelines Division) invites online applications for the engagement of 57 apprentices under The Apprentices Act, 1961 across Technical and Non-Technical Trades. The apprenticeship positions are available across five regions: Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, and South Eastern Region Pipelines.
Selection process: Based on Merit List (No Written Test or Interview)
Last date to apply: March 3, 2025
Detailed notification: Click here
Skill development updates on CSR, Industry
- NSDC International hosted a summit in Chandigarh on strengthening India’s care sector workforce, where NITI Aayog’s Dr. V.K. Paul emphasized expanded skilling and private sector collaboration.
- Mercer | Mettl’s India’s Graduate Skill Index 2025 highlights AI-driven job market shifts and assesses graduate employability with refined methodology.
- MSDE, NSDC, and Intel India launched the ‘AI for Entrepreneurship’ module to equip 100,000 young innovators with AI and entrepreneurial skills by 2025.
- India plans to send 100,000 skilled workers abroad annually under an NSDC initiative, addressing global labor shortages and boosting employment opportunities.
- Twenty local youth completed a six-day plumbing training at Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Community College (DDUCC), boosting skilled labor for Meghalaya’s infrastructure sector.
- POSSPOLE has partnered with ESSCI to enhance skill development in the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector and set up a Center of Excellence (CoE), developing training programs, and fostering industry partnerships to bridge the skill gap in manufacturing.
- CII and TDF hosted the Conference on Higher Education and Skill Development in Hyderabad, focusing on industry-academia collaboration and a vision for Telangana by 2050.
- ASDC signed an MoU with Steinbeis University, Germany, to launch a 1+1 Master’s Program, offering dual-degree certification, global exposure, and job opportunities in the automotive sector.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) launched a three-year skill development program to empower 3,600 marginalized individuals across Karnataka through entrepreneurship and training.
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
- SCERT Jammu conducted a three-day capacity-building program to train educators in vocational education under NEP 2020, focusing on IT, Healthcare, Tourism, and Sports.
- Welspun Foundation launched its Employment Linked Skill Development Program at Telangana’s Kaushal Mela, empowering rural youth with industry-relevant skills and job opportunities.
- The Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, and Livelihood Department in Hubballi launched ‘Yuvanidhi Plus’, aiming to skill 25,000 beneficiaries, with 4,500 set for training in the first phase.
- Private institutions will collaborate with 419 government ITIs in Maharashtra to enhance education, training, and job opportunities, with industry and NGOs supporting infrastructure development.
- Nagaland’s Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department launched multiple skill programs in Dimapur, training 160 electricians and 60 candidates in bakery training under the PACE program.
- ITM Vocational University, Vadodara, has received a ‘B+’ grade from NAAC, recognizing its commitment to quality education, research, and infrastructure until 2029.
