Chandigarh: To modernise technical education and bridge the gap between industrial demand and vocational training, Punjab govt has initiated a process to transform a cluster of govt Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into industry-aligned centres of excellence through modern infrastructure, upgraded equipment, revamped curricula, faculty development and stronger industry linkages aimed at improving employability.
Over the years, enrolment in ITIs has grown, and several new courses have been introduced to meet evolving industry requirements. However, periodic assessments identified gaps in infrastructure, equipment, governance, instructor capacity, industry engagement and employability outcomes, underscoring the need for a comprehensive overhaul to meet the demands of a rapidly growing, technology-driven economy.
To plug these gaps, department of technical education and industrial training has initiated a process to upgrade a cluster of five govt ITIs under the Centre’s PM-SETU scheme by roping in an industry partner that can provide long-term strategic leadership, industry expertise and technology inputs to transform the ITIs into modern, industry-responsive institutions delivering high-quality skill training and better employment outcomes.
The project will cover one ‘Hub’ ITI, Govt ITI Hoshiarpur, and four ‘Spoke’ ITIs — in Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr, Pathankot and Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar. Together, the institutions offer around 90 trades.
Under the scheme, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be formed to manage the institutions under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The SPV will be jointly owned by the industry partner, which will hold a 51% stake, while the central and Punjab govts will hold 24.5% each. The SPV will operate the ITI cluster under a licence from the Punjab govt.
The industry partner will be required to prepare a five-year plan outlining infrastructure development, the introduction of new courses, staffing requirements and outcome targets. It will also serve on the SPV board alongside govt nominees and participate in key committees dealing with curriculum, infrastructure and placements.
As part of the modernisation exercise, the industry partner will oversee the upgrade of classrooms, laboratories, workshops, hostels, IT networks and other training facilities across the hub-and-spoke cluster. It will also procure and maintain industry-grade equipment, tools and simulators and facilitate practical exposure for trainees through access to industrial facilities.
The industry partner will co-develop curricula with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) and industry experts while ensuring alignment with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and the National Occupational Standards.
The revamped institutions are expected to introduce new trades in emerging sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, AI and machine learning, and advanced manufacturing, alongside competency-based and workplace-linked training.
The partner will also be responsible for faculty development through industry immersion programmes, training of trainers, recruitment of additional trainers or subject-matter experts where required, and the continuous professional development of instructors.
It will also manage the ITI cluster’s day-to-day operations through the SPV, strengthen apprenticeship and placement linkages, organise job fairs and industry interactions, establish apprenticeship cells and provide career counselling support, ensure compliance with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training and NSQF standards, and introduce innovations such as incubation centres, entrepreneurial cells, online labs and virtual reality-based training.
