This week’s Newsbytes from NSN is focusing on the latest updates in India’s skill development landscape, featuring exciting developments from government policies, industry partnerships, and academia. From Maharashtra’s new Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme to transformative initiatives like Uttar Pradesh’s CM Yuva scheme and NSDC’s skill centre in Punjab, the momentum toward building a skilled workforce is growing stronger.
Industry leaders like Mahindra Holidays and ASUS are also stepping up their efforts to empower youth through targeted upskilling programs. In addition, the launch of the Centre of Excellence for Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, the upcoming CITS 2025-26 admissions, and ESSCI EOI for Market Reasearch and Skill Gap Study. Read on to explore how these updates are shaping India’s skill development ecosystem.
Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes,
This week’s highlights in skill education
CITS 2025-26 Admissions Open: Apply Now for Trainer Courses
The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has opened online applications for CITS 2025-26 admissions. Applications will be accepted from May 8 to 28, with the AICET exam scheduled for June 15. This is for trainer courses across 41 trades at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Industrial Training Organizations (IToTs). For more information, click here to visit!
EOI Opportunity: ESSCI Invites Proposals for Market Research and Skill Gap Study in Emerging Electronics Sectors
The Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) has extended the deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest (EOI) to 10th May 2025. ESSCI is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to conduct a Market Research and Skill Gap Study focused on Sustainable Electronics, Medical Electronics, and Defence Electronics. The study aims to generate actionable insights for future workforce planning and skill development in the ESDM sector.
Click here for detailed EOI guidelines and submission process!
NCVET Hiring Consultants for Contractual Positions
The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) invites applications for Consultant Grade-II and Consultant Grade-I positions on a contractual basis. Interested candidates can find detailed qualifications, experience, and application instructions on the official website, click here to know more…
Senior Procurement and Contract Management Specialist at Assam Skill University Project
The Assam Skill University Project (ASUP) is inviting applications for the position of Senior Procurement and Contract Management Specialist under its Project Management Unit (PMU), funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Applications are due by 16th May 2025, 5 p.m. For more details, visit Assam Skill University.NSDC Skill Centre Punjab
Skill development updates from the government
- The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the CM Yuva scheme to boost skills and promote self-employment among youth by helping them be self-reliant.
- Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal highlighted India’s rising middle class, manufacturing strength, and digital economy as key investment opportunities.
- The Government of Tripura signed a tripartite MoU with the Skill Development Commission and Karmayogi India to upskill state employees and modernize public service delivery.
- India and Egypt have agreed to boost strategic collaboration in skill development to build a globally competitive, future-ready workforce.
- Uttar Pradesh signs MoUs with IIT Roorkee under the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission to enhance technical skills and youth development, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
- UGC mandates Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme from July 2025, while OSEPA invites EOIs for vocational training in 1,500+ Odisha schools to enhance skills education.
- An inter-ministerial committee led by NITI Aayog to draft a plan for the new National Manufacturing Mission to boost Make in India, focusing on ease of business, MSMEs, workforce, technology, and product quality.
- Maharashtra approves a new policy to boost shipbuilding, repair, and recycling, offering subsidies and support to develop skilled manpower and industry infrastructure.
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Skill development updates on CSR, Industry
- NSDC will set up a skill centre in Punjab’s Badal village, named after Parkash Singh Badal, to train 2,000 students annually.
- Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India has partnered with The Job Plus to upskill youth from local communities and enable direct employment in hospitality.
- On International Hospitality Day 2025, THSC highlighted its decade-long skilling journey, training 1.5 million individuals and targeting 1 million more in the next five years to boost India’s hospitality sector.
- ASUS India, in partnership with VIDYA, has launched a Digital Literacy Program to equip over 6,000 children and youth in Western India with essential digital skills through curriculum-aligned training and digital labs.
- Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation has partnered with UNICEF to launch three youth development programmes aimed at skilling unemployed youth in the state.
- Intuitive has partnered with the Healthcare Sector Skill Council to skill emergency healthcare professionals and strengthen India’s healthcare workforce.
- NSDC International partners with Saudi Arabia’s Takamol Holding to boost workforce readiness through the Skill Accelerator Program, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and enhancing employability for nationals and expatriates.
- The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council trains and places 150 women in top hospitality brands like Hilton and Oberoi, and plans to upskill 300 more in 2025 under its women empowerment initiative.
- Gateway Terminals India partners with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and Vadhvan Port Project Ltd to launch a port sector skill development programme, promoting local community training and diversity in port operations.
- Kalpataru Foundation and PSIPL inaugurated a Skill Development Centre in Kandivali, Mumbai, to train 1,000 underserved youth annually in hospitality and facilities management for improved employability and job placement.
- Rajanna Foundation, sponsored by Amara Raja, won the 2025 national award for one of the best three skill development initiatives, recognizing its impact in training over 3,000 unemployed youth through its CSR efforts.
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
- Symbiosis Skills and Professional University and UNESCO have collaborated for skill based programs, innovative teaching methods and capacity building.
- Uttarakhand schools will observe the last Saturday of every month as a bag-free day to promote creativity and activity-based learning, starting from April.
- As part of NEP 2020, 50 CBSE school principals visited Jamia Millia Islamia to explore vocational education initiatives and promote skill-based learning in schools.
- Maharashtra approves Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) for launch in 2025-26, making apprenticeships mandatory in UG courses across non-agricultural universities.
- The Dr. D Banerjee Centre of Excellence for Polymer Science and Rubber Technology was inaugurated at JSS Technical Institutions, offering training, testing, and skill development in rubber processing and rheology.
