Gandhinagar, Jan 29 (NationPress) The skill enhancement initiative in Gujarat, as part of the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), has significantly impacted employment opportunities. Official data reveals that over 100,000 young individuals have found jobs or ventured into self-employment within the last three years after completing their training at government-sponsored Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

This statistic also includes more than 15,000 female trainees, indicating a rising trend of women's engagement in vocational and technical education.

According to officials, over 200,000 trainees have received instruction across 288 government ITIs in Gujarat during this period, encompassing a diverse array of vocational skills tailored to industry needs.

“Our aim has been to ensure that industries are supplied with skilled labor while equipping youth with both practical and technology-driven skills that enhance employability and foster self-employment,” stated an official.

For the academic year 2025–26, all government ITIs in the state are providing 75 national-level vocational courses under the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and 29 state-level courses under the Gujarat Council of Vocational Training (GCVT/SCVT).

Currently, more than 120,000 seats are filled with trainees in these programs, according to officials.

In response to technological advancements, the state has increased its capacity in high-demand trades such as automobile technology, Internet of Things (IoT), renewable and solar energy, mechanical, electrical, and information technology over the past two years.

In addition to student training, the capabilities of instructors have also been bolstered.

Approximately 295 supervisory instructors from government ITIs have participated in Training of Trainers programs at esteemed institutions and industry facilities, including L&T, CRISP Bhopal, the International Automobile Centre of Excellence (iACE) in Gandhinagar, the Indo German Tool Room in Ahmedabad, and the Tata Indian Institute of Skills.

The government has also established strategic agreements with industries to enhance training infrastructure.

Under these partnerships, industries have invested approximately ₹10 crore to develop advanced laboratories equipped with modern machinery at ITIs.

Officials noted that these facilities offer trainees practical training alongside classroom education while facilitating placement efforts and further instructor development.

In a related initiative to improve women’s access to technical careers, the state Employment and Training Office has forged MoUs with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

A specialized 77-hour STEM-focused training module has been created, which will provide women trainees from ITIs in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, and Valsad districts with targeted instruction.

Additionally, the government-operated ITI at Bilimora has been honored by the Central Government as the top-performing ITI in the Western Zone, a recognition attributed to its skill-based courses, apprenticeship programs, and robust industry connections.

Officials emphasized that with rapid industrial growth in Gujarat and increasing investments from both national and international companies, vocational training and skill development initiatives like CTS are crucial for fulfilling workforce needs and enhancing job opportunities for trained youth.