This week’s NSN Newsbytes highlight India’s continued push to build a future-ready workforce through large-scale investments, policy reforms and industry partnerships. From strengthening maritime, renewable energy and drone technology skills to expanding AI, EV, textile and manufacturing-focused training, the skilling ecosystem is rapidly evolving to meet emerging industry demands. The week also witnessed significant progress in modernising ITIs under PM-SETU, launching outcome-based funding models, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing vocational education across schools, universities and Skill Universities.
States are accelerating infrastructure development and industry collaboration, while CSR and corporate initiatives continue to create meaningful employment opportunities. Together, these developments reflect a strong commitment to equipping India’s youth with industry-relevant skills, improving employability and driving inclusive economic growth across sectors.
Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes –
Apprenticeships
- SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant has invited applications for 1,110 Trade, Diploma and Graduate Apprentice positions under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Last date to apply: 26 August 2026. Click here to apply!
Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes
- MSDE is strengthening maritime sector skilling through Skill India Mission, expanding industry-aligned training, shipyard-ITI partnerships and specialised programmes to prepare youth for careers in ports, shipping and logistics.
- India-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy has welcomed its first cohort of technicians in Gandhinagar, aiming to train 2,000 rooftop solar professionals over two years.
- Government of India has approved a ₹69,725-crore package to revitalise the shipbuilding sector, combining financial assistance, maritime financing, shipyard development and skill development.
- Tamil Nadu has identified 30 Government ITIs across six hub-and-spoke clusters under the PM-SETU scheme, including the Tiruchy ITI cluster.
National skill development updates
- NSDC has launched a ₹530-crore Skills Outcomes Fund to support outcome-based skilling, linking funding to employment outcomes and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for over 2 lakh youth.
- NCVET convened 14 Skill Universities to strengthen collaboration, quality assurance and policy convergence, advancing vocational education reforms and a more integrated national skilling ecosystem.
- Finance Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman announced a ₹1 lakh crore outlay under the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgaar Yojana to create 3.5 crore jobs.
- NABARD, in partnership with NSDC, has launched Gramodyam, an entrepreneurship development programme to equip rural youth with industry-relevant skills, mentoring and support for sustainable livelihoods and enterprise creation.
- NSDC and AVPL International have partnered to establish 350 Advanced Skill Centres for Drone Technology across India.
- States and UTs have identified 822 Government ITIs for upgradation under the ₹60,000-crore PM-SETU scheme, advancing nationwide efforts to modernise vocational training through industry partnerships and upgraded infrastructure.
State-led Skill Initiatives
- Gujarat is accelerating ITI modernisation with 177 infrastructure projects underway and 114 more planned for 2026-27.
- Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE) is expanding industry partnerships for vocational education through collaborations with companies including IBM and Hyderabad Metro Rail, enhancing skill training, internships, industry exposure and placement support for students.
- Maharashtra has announced plans to establish Asia’s finest Skill University in Nagpur, in partnership with industry, to create a future-ready workforce for the region’s expanding manufacturing sector.
- Haryana plans to train 2 lakh youth in AI-linked and industry-relevant skills while developing the state as a global education hub, supported by AI hubs, skill universities and digital skilling initiatives.
- Andhra Pradesh is expanding school-based vocational education across 1,599 government schools, ensuring every student acquires at least one employable skill in line with NEP 2020.
- Andhra Pradesh will strengthen education and skill development through the CEDM, enhancing industry-oriented training, competitive exam coaching and employability opportunities for minority youth.
- Rajasthan has introduced new ITI trades including Fiber to Home, Internet of Things (IoT) and healthcare-related courses from the 2026-27 session.
- Goa will provide ₹34 crore to the Maharashtra Institute of Technology to implement a skill development initiative at Tuem.
- Andhra Pradesh and Kia India have signed a ₹12-crore MoU to upgrade the Government ITI, Penukonda, strengthening advanced automotive skilling, industry-aligned training and employment opportunities for youth.
- Jammu & Kashmir has received ₹5.14 crore under three Skill India schemes to strengthen vocational training, apprenticeship opportunities and industry-relevant skill development for youth across the UT.
Industry Partnerships for Employability
- AMHSSC convened an industry consultation to address the textile and apparel sector’s growing demand for 14 million additional skilled workers by 2030.
- BCCL, JRDA, Hindalco and Rajdhani Universal Fabrics have partnered to establish a vocational training centre and textile manufacturing facility, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rehabilitated families, women and youth.
- SHM Shipcare has partnered with Medhavi Skills University to strengthen maritime skilling through industry-integrated education, offering hands-on training, certifications and career pathways for the shipping sector.
- LSSSDC, in collaboration with industry partners, conducted a NAPS awareness workshop in Tamil Nadu, promoting apprenticeship adoption and industry participation across the life sciences sector.
- Sona Comstar and Tata STRIVE have launched an EV Skill Development Centre in Chakan, Pune, to train 220 unemployed youth in high-demand automotive and electric vehicle skills during FY 2026-27.
CSR initiatives in skills and livelihoods
- Dalmia Bharat Foundation certified 55 youth under its DIKSHa Centre in Kadapa, with 39 securing placements, reinforcing industry-linked vocational training and rural youth employability.
Higher Education and Emerging Skills
- Delhi University has proposed four new Entrepreneurship Skill Enhancement Courses (SECs) to equip students with practical startup, innovation and industry-ready business skills.
- CSIR-IIIM Jammu conducted a four-day skill development programme on preclinical research, providing young researchers with hands-on training in laboratory animal imaging, experimental techniques and ethical practices.
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/
*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.
