Patna: Bihar is set to get a major boost to its skill-development ecosystem with the establishment of a permanent campus of the National Skill Training Institute for Women (NSTI-W) at Bihta and a Skill India International Centre (SIIC) in Patna, aimed at equipping women and youth with industry-ready and globally recognised skills.According to recent announcements made by chief minister Samrat Choudhary and Union minister of state for skill development and entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary, the permanent NSTI-W campus will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs100 crore and will comprise a modern administrative block, academic facilities and a girls’ hostel. Once operational, it will have an annual training capacity of 435 trainees, substantially expanding opportunities for women in technical and vocational education.The institute proposes to offer 13 trades under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) and Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS), combining conventional trades with emerging technologies.Courses will include AI and programming assistant, drone technician, solar technician, radiology technician, electronics, fashion design and other specialised programmes.NSTI-W Patna, the only Central govt skill-training institute exclusively for women in Bihar, has so far operated from a temporary campus. It has provided training in areas including electronic mechanics, fashion design and technology, AI and cosmetology, besides programmes under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and other entrepreneurship and skill-development initiatives.The proposed SIIC, backed by Rs7 crore central assistance, will create a structured pathway for Bihar’s youth seeking overseas employment. It will provide foreign-language training in English, German, Japanese and French, international placement counselling, certification assistance, pre-departure orientation and safe-migration support. The centre will also train candidates for jobs in high-demand sectors such as electrical services, plumbing, construction and agriculture, with curricula aligned to international occupational standards and employers’ requirements.The projects are likely to connect Bihar’s youth with skills, self-reliance and global opportunities.
