Gujarat's Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department is pushing ahead with a large-scale overhaul of its Industrial Training Institute (ITI) network, with 177 infrastructure projects currently in progress and 114 additional projects slated to launch in the 2026-27 financial year. The expansion, centred in Gandhinagar, aims to equip the state's youth with industry-aligned vocational skills as Gujarat positions itself as a manufacturing and employment hub.

Current Project Status

Of the 177 ongoing ITI infrastructure projects, 128 are in active implementation while the remaining 48 are in the pre-execution stage, according to details shared at a high-level departmental review meeting held on Thursday. The works span construction of new ITI buildings, workshop facilities, and repair and renovation of existing infrastructure across the state.

Cabinet Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya presided over the review and directed officials to ensure all projects are delivered within stipulated timelines without compromising quality. He also stressed that welfare scheme benefits must reach workers in remote areas in a timely and accessible manner, and called for heightened attention to health and safety at construction sites, factories, and other workplaces.

Key Projects Planned for 2026-27

Among the major additions planned for the coming financial year are a multi-storey building at Amreli ITI, new workshops at Tarsali ITI, and a hostel at Khedbrahma ITI. These projects reflect a deliberate effort to expand both academic and residential infrastructure, particularly in smaller towns and districts that have historically had limited vocational training access.

Inclusion and Digital Push

Minister of State Kantilal Amrutiya highlighted that accessibility features for persons with disabilities are being integrated across Gujarat's ITIs, including ramps, tactile flooring, Braille markings, and accessible toilets. He added that the government is also working to strengthen student support through travel allowances, modern fire safety systems, digitisation measures, and the Anubandham employment portal for job seekers.

Broader Skill Ecosystem Under Review

The review meeting assessed the physical and financial progress of schemes implemented by multiple agencies, including the Directorate of Employment and Training, the Gujarat Skill Development Mission, Kaushalya – The Skill University, the Labour Commissioner's Office, the Industrial Safety and Health Department, the Mahatma Gandhi Labour Institute, and the Gujarat Shramyogi Welfare Board.

Department Secretary Lochan Sehra urged officials to make administrative processes faster, technology-driven, and result-oriented. Joint Secretary Tejas Soni presented updates on the Namo Gujarat Kaushalya and Rojgar Mission, the Namo Kaushalya Laxmi Yojana, training assistance programmes, and employment recruitment fairs.

With over 291 projects either underway or planned across the state, Gujarat's ITI expansion represents one of the most ambitious vocational infrastructure drives in the country's western region — and its execution pace will be closely watched by industry and skilling bodies alike.