Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary, conducted a comprehensive review of the operations of the Directorate General of Training (DGT) and participated in a session to gain a deep understanding of the DGT, its schemes, and its institutions. These include Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), the National Instructional Media Institute (NIMI), and the Central Staff Training and Research Institute (CSTARI).
He appreciated the efforts of the DGT towards reinvigorating and reimagining one of the long-standing skilling ecosystems and adding more than 5000 institutions over the last decade. He emphasized that while ITIs have their equity, they need a renewed focus. Shri Chaudhary advocated for blended learning at ITIs and NSTIs, urging the DGT to enhance industry collaboration through increased Flexi MoU partnerships and the Dual System of Training.
The Minister highlighted the critical role of ITIs and NSTIs in equipping the youth with relevant skills and nurturing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. He stressed the need for modernizing ITIs with state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology, emphasizing the importance of updating curricula, reviewing course durations, and ensuring their relevance to today’s market demands, particularly in emerging fields and sunrise sectors. Additionally, he discussed initiatives aimed at improving the quality of training and enhancing the employability of students.
In reviewing the performance and operations of the DGT ecosystem, Shri Chaudhary urged these institutes to focus on advanced skill training and to introduce specialized training programs and certifications, alongside planning for continuous professional development for trainers to keep them updated with the latest industry trends.
The Minister called for a collaborative approach involving government bodies, industry partners, and educational institutions to create a robust skill development ecosystem. Strategies to improve the linkage between training institutes and employment opportunities were discussed, with a focus on regional skill requirements and promoting local industry partnerships to tailor training programs to local employment needs.
Digital initiatives were also a key focus of the review, with discussions on integrating digital platforms and e-learning tools to enhance the reach and effectiveness of training programs. He also advocated that all digital materials and mediums for skilling must be hosted on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) platform to manage training, assessments, and course materials effectively.
The need for a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress and impact of various initiatives was emphasized. Regular feedback mechanisms and data-driven decision-making were identified as key components for continuous improvement. The Minister said that the quality of ITIs is of utmost importance to the government and a close eye on their operations and delivery must be kept.
Shri Chaudhary reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the skill development landscape in India. He expressed confidence that the focused efforts would significantly contribute to building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing global economy. The review meeting concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards achieving the shared vision of making India a global leader in skill development.
