PM-SETU Gives Fresh Push to Skill Development with Rs 735.70 Crore Investment
New Delhi, Sep 8: The Centre has approved an investment of Rs 735.70 crore for upgrading ITI clusters in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana under the PM-SETU scheme, giving a fresh boost to efforts to improve vocational training and employment opportunities for young people.
The investment will support the development of modern training facilities, better equipment and industry-oriented courses at government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The objective is to help students gain practical skills that match the changing requirements of employers.
PM-SETU is designed to modernise government ITIs through a hub-and-spoke model, with industry participation playing an important role in improving infrastructure, training programmes and curriculum. The larger scheme has an overall outlay of Rs 60,000 crore and aims to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs across the country.
The latest investment in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana is expected to strengthen the skill development ecosystem in these states and give trainees access to better learning environments and more relevant technical training.
The focus on industry-linked training is particularly important as employers increasingly require workers with practical knowledge and skills suited to modern manufacturing, services and emerging technologies. Better-equipped ITIs can help bridge this gap and make young people more prepared for the workplace.
Under PM-SETU, upgraded ITIs are being developed with facilities such as modern laboratories, smart classrooms, digital learning resources and new courses aligned with industry needs.
The government is implementing the programme in phases, with states identifying clusters and working with industry partners to prepare investment plans. The broader initiative is aimed at creating a stronger connection between vocational education and actual employment opportunities.
The latest approval is expected to give further momentum to this effort, while supporting the creation of a skilled workforce that can meet the needs of India’s growing industries.
The Centre’s wider objective is to make ITIs more modern, practical and employment-focused so that vocational education can provide young people with stronger pathways to jobs and industry can get access to a better-trained workforce.