Weekly Newsbytes on skills and education

This week’s NSN Newsbytes highlights the rapid transformation in India’s skilling and education landscape. From the launch of India’s Semiconductor Mission and ITI upgrades to pioneering vocational programmes and global partnerships, the momentum toward building a future-ready workforce is stronger than ever.

States like Nagaland, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Assam are spearheading reforms in vocational training and higher education, while MoUs with Japan, Singapore, and Germany highlight India’s growing role in global skill exchange.

At the same time, corporates and institutions, from Coal India, NTPC, and Microchip Technology to Swan Defence and Lurny Innovative Labs are investing in CSR, cutting-edge technologies, and entrepreneurial programmes that empower youth, women, and underrepresented groups.

With initiatives spanning AI, automotive, IT, sustainable shipbuilding, and skill training for visually impaired youth, the ecosystem is not just bridging employment gaps but also shaping innovation, inclusivity, and long-term economic growth.

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

Skill Kerala Global Summit 2025: Reimagining Skilling, Education, and Employment
Kochi hosted Skill Kerala Global Summit 2025, uniting leaders to showcase Kerala’s potential as a global hub for skills, innovation, entrepreneurship. A LinkedIn Talent Insights report released at the Summit revealed a major inflow of skilled professionals returning to Kerala, particularly from the Gulf region.
The event also announced the creation of 12.8 lakh job opportunities against a target of 50,000. Expert panels explored Kerala’s roadmap for inclusive, AI-enabled, and sustainable growth, with discussions on replicable frameworks, modernising ITIs, global opportunities for graduates, supporting marginalized groups, and adopting new technologies like BIM, robotics, and sustainable construction. Click here to read more…

Skill development updates from the government

India’s semiconductor mission advances rapidly; ₹65,000 crore committed under the ₹76,000 crore PLI scheme, boosting economic security and digital transformation.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Aptech limited launched an eight-month 3D Animation and VFX programme for Northeast youth, blending training, industry exposure, certification, and placement support.
Nagaland announced ‘SOAR Mission’ education reforms from September 5, integrating vocational training to bridge academic-job gap and address low wages.
DVET and Sector Skill Councils launched competitions across 63 sectors to select India’s candidates for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 global event.
India and Singapore agreed to collaborate on ports, MRO sector, skill development, semiconductors, and civil nuclear cooperation, strengthening strategic partnership.
NTPC Simhadri and CIPET-Vijayawada signed MoU to provide CSR-funded skill training for Parawada youth through three residential training batches.
The Delhi government announced a ₹170-crore plan to upgrade 15 ITIs into technology-rich Centres of Excellence, aligning with the national ITI upgradation scheme.
Punjab sought five ITI hubs and an Indian Institute of Skills in Ludhiana, highlighting doubled ITI seats and rising enrolments.
Uttarakhand government signed LOI with Germany’s Innovation Hub Rhine-Main to create global opportunities for youth in healthcare, energy, and startups.
India and Japan agreed on five lakh personnel exchanges over five years to strengthen skills, research, commercialization, cultural, and educational ties.
On its 65th foundation day, NCERT launched Bal Vatika DTH channel and DIKSHA 2.0, boosting digital, inclusive, multilingual learning nationwide.
NCVET and MSDE, with Assam government, hosted Northeast workshop in Guwahati, highlighting unified standards, certification, and state-level skilling opportunities.
Assam Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated Rabindranath Tagore University’s new Hojai campus, enhancing higher education with modern facilities and departments.
Tamil Nadu signed MoU with Germany’s Next Mittelstand to introduce dual vocational training model, boosting MSME sector and skill development.
NIESBUD concluded 15-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme for 25 transgender persons, sponsored by DoSJE, covering finance, planning, and government support schemes.

Skill development updates on CSR and Industry

Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) and Indian Maritime University signed MoU to enhance maritime education, research, and workforce skills for India’s shipbuilding and industrial growth.
Deshpande Skilling launched SkillPlus programme in Dharwad, offering hands-on training Sept–Dec 2025 to equip graduates with employability skills nationwide.
LSSC launched training and apprenticeship awareness camp in South 24-Parganas, targeting 620 candidates for leather goods and garment stitching operations.
Diageo India and THSC signed MoU to train 300 youth under ‘Learning for Life’, enhancing employability in hospitality, business, and services.
Coal India’s Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) signed an MoA with Manmukh Education Consultancy (MEC) to train 60 underprivileged Ranchi youth as phlebotomist technicians under a CSR initiative.
Microchip Technology expanded CSR initiatives in India, investing in education, skills development, and community programs to support youth and national priorities.
Nava Limited’s CSR-run Vocational Training Institute, Paloncha, awarded certificates to candidates completing fitter and electrical training, strengthening local employability.

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

CUSAT and Cochin Shipyard signed MoU to set up Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Shipbuilding Technology with ₹3.53 crore funding.
Sanjay Ghodawat International School (SGIS) Pune, and White Canvas India launched ‘Young CEO Program’ for Grades 6–12, fostering entrepreneurial skills, growth mindset, and industry readiness.
Lurny Innovative Labs launched Lurny KXP, an AI-native voice-first platform transforming corporate training with generative AI, simulations, and multilingual support.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Presidency University Bengaluru signed MoU to launch M.Tech in Automotive IT, fostering industry-ready engineers for future mobility.
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas) signed MoU to launch vocational programmes in poultry, vermicomposting, food and beverage operations, and bakery training.
NIT Meghalaya, Korea’s Dot Inc., FIH, and Oxford researcher signed MoU to launch IT training, jobs for visually impaired youth.

*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.