Weekly Newsbytes on skills and education

This week’s NSN Newsbytes brings you the latest updates from government initiatives, CSR projects, and academia, driving India’s skilling and education ecosystem. From the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) appointing new Secretary, the ₹60,000 crore ITI upgradation push, and Assam’s ₹600-crore skill education project with Tata Group, to Punjab’s ITI expansion and Gujarat’s ambitious youth employment plan, governments are stepping up efforts to empower India’s workforce.

On the industry and CSR front, leading organisations like Axis Bank Foundation, Kotak Education Foundation, HCCB, and ESSCI are building impactful programs to enhance employability, vocational training, and entrepreneurship. Academia and corporates are also driving change, with institutions like IIM Indore, CSJMU, Shalby Academy, and initiatives from Infosys and Adani Skills creating new opportunities in emerging technologies, healthcare, and hospitality.

Dive into this week’s highlights to explore how skilling, reskilling, and upskilling are shaping India’s future-ready talent pipeline.

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

Skill development updates from the government

Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, IAS (1991 batch, AGMUT cadre), has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India.
MSDE hosts Kaushal Manthan in Chandigarh, uniting North India Skill Ministers to drive ₹60,000 crore ITI upgradation and skilling transformation.
Assam Cabinet approves ₹600-crore skill education project with Tata Group’s Nelco, aiming to build a robust state-wide skill ecosystem.
MSDE to modernise 1,000 ITIs in five years via a hub-and-spoke model with 200 Hubs and 800 Spokes.
Punjab expands ITI capacity, raising seats from 35,000 to 52,000, and introduces 814 new trades to boost vocational training and employability.
Jammu and Kashmir Sericulture Department concludes 3-day training in Anantnag, empowering farmers with modern sericulture techniques, schemes awareness, and sustainable silk production.
Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) launches “Vizag Skill Sail 2025” conclave, fostering maritime skill development, entrepreneurship, and sustainable green port innovations with stakeholders’ participation.
TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) inaugurated new facilities in Odisha, including the Aska Division Office, the Welding Vocational Training Centre at Samarjhola, and the Nuagam Electrical Section Office.
Gujarat targets 35–40 lakh beneficiaries under PMVBRY, boosting youth employment with ₹1 lakh crore incentives, formalised livelihoods, and enhanced social security.
Minority Affairs Ministry, ICAR-CMFRI partnered under PM VIKAS to train 690 Kerala candidates, promoting women entrepreneurship and minority community empowerment.
Sikkim Skill Development Department hosts first collaborative career counselling under the INSPIRES program, guiding children at Kingston Rhenock Child Care Institution.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Shri MK Stalin inaugurates the Journalism Institute in Kotturpuram, reopens the MGR film institute floor, and launches multiple new college buildings statewide.
The Delhi government announces a ₹170-crore program to upgrade 15 ITIs into technology centres featuring AI, EV, and robotics modules.

Skill development updates on CSR and Industry

ESSCI and Amara Raja launch Centre of Excellence in Telangana, offering free ESSCI-certified training in EV, HVAC, and electrician trades.
CII projects skill development, incubation, and excellence centres as pillars for Chandigarh tricity’s rise as a dynamic startup and industrial hub.
Radisson Hotel Group partners with Job Plus and THSC to skill, certify, and place 300+ youth, boosting inclusivity in hospitality.
Nava Limited’s Kothagudem vocational program trains 1,700+ youth in fitter, electrical skills; many secured jobs at Singareni, BHEL, and others.
Axis Bank Foundation and Medha partner to equip 16,000 youth in UP, Bihar, and Haryana with employability, technical, and vocational skills.
Upgraded Multi-Skill and Electronics Lab inaugurated at TMGHSS Kohima by Lend A Hand India, Samagra Shiksha, and LIC Housing Finance CSR.

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

Shalby Academy partners with BSDU Jaipur to launch B.Voc programs in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), Operation Theatre and Anaesthesia Technology (OT&AT), and B.Voc. in Medical Radiology Imaging Technology (MRIT), boosting allied health and paramedic skills.
IIM Indore and Simplilearn launch a 7-month Executive Programme in Business Analytics and AI, offering live training, campus immersion, and alumni status.
CSJMU partners with Mercure Hotel Lucknow to enhance hospitality education, offering students hands-on training and promising career opportunities.
Infosys sets up Makers Lab at AKTU Lucknow to train teachers, students in AI, IoT, and modern technologies through specialised programs.
Adani Skills and Education launches NCVET-approved Karma Shiksha diploma, offering industry-integrated, job-ready education for Class 10/12 graduates and ITI pass-outs.

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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.