Under the PM-Setu (Prime Minister Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITI) scheme, 1,000 government industrial training institutes or ITIs across the country will be modernized. This announcement was made by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on Saturday.

According to the ministry, under this initiative a hub-and-spoke approach will be adopted, under which 200 ITIs will be made hubs, where training will be imparted with advanced machines, modern buildings and new technology. At the same time, 800 ITIs will be added as spokes, so that training facilities can reach the districts.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is carrying forward this scheme in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra. As part of the launch of the scheme, a major industry mentorship program will be organized in Pune.

The objective of this initiative is to connect industries with the scheme and make them partners in its implementation, so that training can be imparted as per the needs of the industries.

According to the ministry, more than 50 eligible companies will participate in this mentorship program. These companies will be associated with sectors like construction, textiles, automobile, consumer goods, electronics, oil and gas and renewable energy.

The PM-Setu scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 October 2025 in New Delhi, with the objective of modernizing government industrial training institutes (ITIs) across the country to make them industry-friendly, so that the youth get world-class skill training, increase their employability and can contribute to building a self-reliant India.

Under this scheme, ITIs will be owned by the government, but they will be operated with the participation of industries. This will help the youth to get training, apprenticeship and jobs as per demand.

According to officials, this mentorship program will give industries an opportunity to be a part of the skill development system for a long term instead of joining only occasionally. Additionally, industries will also be able to play a role in training- decisions and operations.

During this period, many MoUs will also be exchanged, so that the partnership between industries and training institutes can be strengthened.

These agreements will include the one between the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), Government of Maharashtra, with Fiat India, Schneider Electric India and Anudeep Foundation. Apart from this, partnership will also be formed between DVET and SDN/Wadhwani.

This cluster model will enable industries to contribute directly to the running of the institutes, thereby tailoring training to labor market needs, improving curriculum, training teachers in new technologies, and strengthening apprenticeship and job opportunities.

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