The Surat and Visakhapatnam clusters of Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will be upgraded with an approved investment of approximately ₹440 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme, following the signing of Shareholders’ Agreements (SHAs) between the Centre, the respective state governments and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India).
The investment includes ₹240 crore for the Surat cluster in Gujarat, covering five Government ITIs, and ₹200 crore for the Visakhapatnam cluster in Andhra Pradesh, covering four Government ITIs. The agreements mark a significant step towards strengthening industry participation in vocational education and aligning technical training with evolving industry requirements, according to a press release from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Shareholders’ Agreements Establish Implementation Framework
The agreements were signed by the Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the Governments of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, and AM/NS India. They pave the way for implementing the approved Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) for the two clusters.
Dedicated Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) will be established to manage the upgradation and operations of the ITI clusters. Under the proposed ownership structure, AM/NS India will hold a 51 per cent stake, while the Government of India and the respective state governments will each hold 24.5 per cent equity.
The partnership is part of the broader PM-SETU initiative to transform India’s ITI ecosystem through industry-led reforms, modern training infrastructure and stronger links between vocational education and employment.
Focus on Industry-Relevant and Future-Ready Skills
AM/NS India will implement the projects in collaboration with New Age Makers’ Institute of Technology (NAMTECH), its academic and technical partner. AM/NS India will contribute manufacturing expertise and industry insights, while NAMTECH will support curriculum enhancement, training reforms, faculty development and academic innovation.
The planned interventions include modernising workshops and laboratories, introducing new-age and industry-relevant trades, updating curricula to meet emerging industrial requirements, strengthening instructor training and expanding hands-on learning opportunities for trainees.
These measures are expected to improve training quality, employability and the industry readiness of ITI graduates.
PM-SETU Aims to Raise Standards in Vocational Education
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Debashree Mukherjee said the signing of the agreements marked the beginning of a transformative journey for ITIs.
“As India secured a place among the Top 10 in world’s leading performers at WorldSkills competition held in Shanghai recently, we must now aspire for PM-SETU institutions and Aspirational Institutes to become centres of excellence that nurture future WorldSkills champions,” she said.
Mukherjee added that the objective was not limited to upgrading infrastructure but also to raising aspirations, quality and outcomes across the skilling ecosystem.
Major Industry Commitment Under PM-SETU
The combined approved investment of approximately ₹440 crore for the Surat and Visakhapatnam clusters represents one of the largest industry commitments approved under PM-SETU so far. The first 14 Strategic Investment Plans under the scheme account for a total proposed investment of ₹3,446 crore.
About PM-SETU
PM-SETU is a flagship government scheme with a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore to transform India’s vocational education ecosystem through industry partnerships and institutional reforms. It envisages upgrading 1,000 Government ITIs across the country and strengthening five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
-PIB Inputs
