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As part of this initiative, the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) organised an important industry consultation meeting at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur.
The main objective of the meeting was to discuss ways to increase industry participation and collaboration opportunities for the proposed National Centres of Excellence under the PM-SETU scheme. The discussions especially focused on Centres of Excellence planned for aviation, space technology, advanced manufacturing and allied sectors.
Government’s Focus on Future-Ready Skill Education
The government believes that in order to make India globally competitive in the coming years, it is essential to connect youth with modern technologies and industry-oriented training. This is why the PM-SETU scheme aims to strengthen ITIs and skill training institutes through advanced technologies, better infrastructure and strong industry partnerships.
The initiative is also being seen as a part of the larger vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, advanced manufacturing growth and enhancing India’s participation in global competitiveness.
Senior Officials and Industry Leaders Participated
The meeting was chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Senior officials from the ministry, including DGT Director General Dilip Kumar, along with representatives from the Uttar Pradesh government, were also present.
Representatives from leading industries, multilateral organisations and skill development institutions across the country also participated in the consultation. Special emphasis was placed on building stronger coordination between education, skill training and industries.
More Than 25 Major Companies and Organisations Participated
Over 25 organisations from sectors such as defence, space, civil aviation, energy, transportation, precision engineering and advanced manufacturing participated in the meeting.
These included major organisations such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Dassault Aviation India, Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T Precision Engineering, Honda Motors, Adani Skill Development Centre and ICICI Foundation.
International institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank also took part, highlighting the global significance of the initiative.
Emphasis on Industry-Oriented Training
The meeting focused on ensuring that students and trainees receive training directly aligned with industry requirements. Discussions were held on curriculum development, modern laboratories, apprenticeships and strengthening industry partnerships. Experts believe that such initiatives will provide youth with hands-on experience in modern technologies and machinery, thereby improving their employability.
Centre of Excellence to Be Developed for Space and Advanced Technology
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the proposed National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) for space technology and allied sectors at NSTI Kanpur.
The government is planning to develop this centre through industry collaboration, India-France bilateral cooperation and institutional partnerships under the PM-SETU framework. The centre aims to build skilled manpower for space technology, high-end manufacturing and advanced technology sectors.
According to experts, India’s rapidly growing space sector and emerging technology industries are creating increasing demand for trained professionals. In this context, the proposed Centre of Excellence is expected to play a major role in preparing youth for future jobs.
Hub and Spoke Model to Be Implemented in Uttar Pradesh
The ministry also announced that a “Hub and Spoke” model is being implemented in Uttar Pradesh under the PM-SETU scheme. Under this model, large and modern ITIs will act as “hubs” and provide technical and academic support to nearby smaller ITIs or “spokes.”
This model will be implemented across regions including Aliganj, Saket, Pandu Nagar, Kanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Agra, Naini Prayagraj, Varanasi and Gorakhpur. The aim of this framework is to improve the quality of regional skill education, provide advanced training facilities and strengthen industry linkages.
Why Is This Initiative Important for Education and Employment?
Experts believe that with rapidly changing technologies and evolving industry requirements, traditional skill training models need major transformation. Schemes like PM-SETU are focusing not only on certificate-based education but also on practical industry-oriented training. This is expected to improve employment opportunities for youth and strengthen India’s skill ecosystem at the global level.
The government’s long-term goal is to make India a global hub for skilled manpower so that Indian youth can access opportunities in emerging industries and advanced technologies worldwide.
