Centre, States, ArcelorMittal sign PM-SETU pact to upgrade nine ITIs in Gujarat, AP
The Centre, State authorities, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India have signed equity agreements allocating Rs 440 crore to upgrade nine state-run industrial training institutes in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh under the flagship PM-SETU scheme. The agreements under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme cover a cluster of five govt ITIs in Surat, Gujarat, and four in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Govt said on Monday.
The projects entail an approved investment of Rs 240 crore for the Surat cluster and Rs 200 crore for the Visakhapatnam cluster. Dedicated Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) will be established to manage the upgradation and operations of the clusters. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India will hold a 51 per cent stake in each SPV, while the Centre and the respective state governments will each hold 24.5 per cent equity.
“The signing of the SHAs formally establishes the framework through which the industry partner, the Government of India and the respective state governments will work together to implement the approved projects. Dedicated Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) will now be established to manage the upgradation and operations of the ITI clusters,” the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship stated.
The projects represent one of the largest industry commitments approved under PM-SETU so far, against a total proposed investment of Rs 3,446 crore across the first 14 approved Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) under the scheme.
Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said, “Our goal is not only to upgrade infrastructure, but to elevate aspirations, quality and outcomes across the skilling ecosystem”. AM/NS India will implement projects in collaboration with New Age Makers’ Institute of Technology (NAMTECH), its academic and technical partner. While AM/NS India will bring manufacturing expertise and industry insights, NAMTECH will support curriculum enhancement, training delivery reforms, faculty development and academic innovation. The planned interventions include modernisation of training infrastructure, workshops and laboratories; introduction of new-age, industry-relevant trades and technologies; alignment of curricula with emerging industry requirements; strengthening instructor training and capacity building; and expansion of practical learning opportunities for trainees.
These measures are expected to improve training quality, employability outcomes and industry readiness among ITI graduates. PM-SETU is a flagship government scheme with a total outlay of Rs 60,000 crore, aimed at transforming the country’s vocational education ecosystem through industry partnerships and institutional reforms. It envisages the upgradation of 1,000 government ITIs across the country and strengthening of five National Skill Training Institutes.
