PM-SETU scheme to revamp 1,000 govt ITIs, boost youth employment

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Under the PM-SETU (Prime Minister's Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) scheme, 1,000 government industrial training institutes (ITIs) across the country will be modernised, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship announced on Saturday.

According to the ministry, this initiative will adopt a hub-and-spoke approach, with 200 ITIs becoming hubs to provide training using advanced machinery, modern buildings, and new technology. Another 800 ITIs will be connected as spokes to extend training to districts.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing this scheme in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra. A major industry consultation event will be held in Pune to mark the launch of the scheme.

The objective of this initiative is to connect industries with the scheme and make them partners in its implementation, so that training can be provided as per the needs of the industries.

According to the ministry, more than 50 eligible companies will participate in the mentoring program, covering sectors such as construction, textiles, automobiles, consumer goods, electronics, oil and gas, and renewable energy.

The PM-SETU scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 October 2025 in New Delhi with the aim of modernizing government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country and making them industry-friendly, so that youth get world-class skill training, their employability increases and they can contribute to building a self-reliant India.

Under this scheme, ITIs will remain government-owned but operated in partnership with industry. This will help young people access in-demand training, apprenticeships, and jobs.

According to officials, this mentorship program will allow industries to become part of the skills development ecosystem for a long time, rather than just occasionally. Industries will also be able to play a role in training decisions and operations.

During this period, many MoUs will also be exchanged, which will strengthen the partnership between industries and training institutes.

These agreements will include agreements between the Maharashtra Government's Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET) and Fiat India, Schneider Electric India, and the Anudeep Foundation, as well as a partnership between DVET and SDN/Wadhwani.

This cluster model will allow industries to directly contribute to the operations of the institutions, thereby tailoring training to the needs of the labour market, improving curriculum, training teachers in new technologies, and strengthening apprenticeship and job opportunities.