How is Gujarat Expanding Its Vocational Training Network with 558 ITIs Operational?

Gandhinagar, July 14 (NationPress) As part of its commitment to empower youth and enhance employability, over 650,000 young individuals in Gujarat have successfully undergone training under the Mukhyamantri Skill Development Initiative (MSDI) for the year 2024-25, as reported by the state's Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department.

Currently, Gujarat boasts 558 operational Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), which include 288 government-operated, 101 grant-in-aid, and 169 self-funded institutions, according to the official data released on Monday.

This network features 30 ITIs specifically for women and 19 for individuals with disabilities, collectively educating more than 216,000 participants in vocational skills. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to align the skills of youth with the evolving demands of the global workforce, involving collaborations with various state departments and specialized schemes.

The Gujarat government is prioritizing skill-based development to ensure that its youth remain competitive in a rapidly changing global job market influenced by automation, digitization, and AI. Under the Mukhyamantri Bhavishyalkshi Kaushalya Vikas Yojana (MBKVY), over 19,000 youth have received short-term training in cutting-edge fields such as drone technology, healthcare, automation, manufacturing, electrical engineering, and IT.

Additionally, the Kaushalya -- The Skill University is offering more than 100 industry-aligned courses designed to prepare students with future-ready skills. To facilitate the reintegration of school dropouts from Class 10 and 12 into the workforce, the state is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), which provides skill-based training for self-reliance.

Through the Mukhyamantri Apprenticeship Yojana (MAY), more than 91,000 trainees have participated in work-based learning modules. To meet the challenges of Industry 4.0, the state is establishing ‘Centres of Excellence’ across 6-8 key sectors under its Mega ITI Scheme.

Simultaneously, the Gujarat Apex Training Institute (GATI) is developing eight Institutes for Training of Trainers (iToTs) to ensure advanced instructor training. To reach remote and underserved youth, Gujarat is rolling out the Saksham–KVK 2.0 and LIVE (Local Institutes for Vocational Education) initiatives. Through LIVE, trainees receive stipends amounting to 50% of the minimum wage directly via DBT.

Moreover, the Project Sankalp initiative advocates for “by industry, at industry, for industry,” ensuring benefits for both employers and aspiring youth through demand-driven training models. These initiatives coincide with the global celebration of World Youth Skills Day on July 15, themed this year around: 'AI and Digital Skills for Youth Empowerment'. Recognized by the UN, this day emphasizes the critical need to equip youth with adaptive skills to address the changing demands of the global labor market.