The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme, approved for implementation over a five-year period. The scheme aims to enhance the quality and relevance of vocational training through upgraded labs, machines, and industry-aligned curriculum across India.
Scheme Components and Objectives
The scheme comprises two main components: Component I focuses on upgrading 1,000 Government ITIs in a Hub and Spoke model (200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs) with smart classrooms, modern labs, digital content, and new industry-aligned courses. Component II involves capacity augmentation of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) located in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana, including setting up sector-specific National Centres of Excellence for skilling with focus on advanced training of trainers through global partnerships.
Key objectives include improving training quality in ITIs and NSTIs, modernizing infrastructure to industry standards, introducing industry-aligned long-term and short-term courses in emerging sectors, strengthening industry linkages for demand-driven skilling, and enhancing NSTI capacity for trainer development.
Implementation Framework and Approved Clusters
Selection criteria for Government ITIs under the scheme are decided by States/Union Territories in consultation with industry, ensuring alignment with emerging skill needs and local industrial potential. States/UTs through their Steering Committees have flexibility to fix appropriate eligibility criteria at the Expression of Interest or Request for Proposal stage based on local context.
The industry-led approach requires selected industry partners to form Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) that lead the upgradation process and propose interventions relating to curriculum redesign, training delivery models, infrastructure upgradation, and industry exposure. Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) are approved on a first-come-first-serve basis after technical and financial evaluation.
Seven SIPs from Anchor Industry Partners have been approved so far: three from Telangana (Old City Cluster, Patancheru Cluster, Sangareddy Cluster), one from Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam Cluster), one from Rajasthan (Bhiwadi Cluster), one from Odisha (Keonjhar-Barbil Cluster), and one from Gujarat (Surat Cluster). Each cluster includes one Hub ITI and multiple Spoke ITIs as detailed in the annexure.
Curriculum Development and New Courses
The curriculum review process is continuous and need-based, involving assessment of existing curricula against emerging technologies, occupational standards, industry demand, employability trends, and apprenticeship requirements. The revision process involves extensive consultations with State Governments/UT Administrations, industry representatives, Sector Skill Councils, NSTIs, subject matter experts, academia, employers, and relevant Ministries/Departments.
The Directorate General of Training has introduced 32 new-age courses under the Craftsmen Training Scheme focusing on emerging technologies including Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Technician, Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant, Cyber Security Assistant, Drone Pilot (Junior), Drone Technician, Green Hydrogen Production Technician, Industrial Internet of Things Technician, Mechanic Electric Vehicle, Semiconductor Technician, 5G Network Technician, and Nuclear Power Plant Technician among others.
The scheme specifically focuses on equipping trainees with industry-relevant skills in emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, green energy, and other high-growth industrial sectors, enhancing employability through industry-relevant skills training, apprenticeships, practical workplace exposure, career guidance, placement support, and self-employment opportunities.