The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) announced the inauguration of the Skills4Future EV & Green Skills Lab at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) Chennai, established under Shell India's Skills4Future programme in partnership with the Directorate General of Training (DGT). The lab was inaugurated by Shri Niranjan Kumar Sudhanshu, IAS, Additional Secretary of MSDE, during his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu on October 8, 2026.
The EV & Green Skills Lab is designed to provide hands-on training in electric vehicle systems, battery technologies, diagnostics, safety practices, and other emerging green technologies. The facility aims to strengthen practical learning and enhance employability opportunities for youth in the rapidly growing sectors of sustainable mobility and clean energy. The initiative represents a collaborative effort between Shell India, DGT, and MSDE to equip youth with future-ready skills for emerging green economy opportunities.
During the visit, the Additional Secretary reviewed the progress of PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) implementation in Tamil Nadu. PM-SETU is a Government of India initiative for industry-linked modernization of 1,000 Government ITIs and capacity augmentation of five NSTIs as National Centres of Excellence. He emphasized the importance of strong industry partnerships in ensuring high-quality, outcome-oriented skill development aligned with emerging employment opportunities and highlighted the role of apprenticeship in strengthening the talent pipeline for MSMEs.
Mr. Gopendra Bahadur, Vice President - Finance of Shell India, stated that through investments in EV and green skills training, industry partnerships, and hands-on learning infrastructure, Shell is helping equip youth with future-ready skills that improve employability and create pathways to emerging careers. NSTI Chennai, located in Guindy Industrial Estate, functions under DGT and offers instructor training, craftsmen training, and short-term advanced vocational training, and is being developed under PM-SETU Component II as one of five National Centres of Excellence.