AP becomes first state to roll out PM-SETU industry partnership

Visakhapatnam: In a major development under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme, the national steering committee has approved the strategic investment plan for the Visakhapatnam ITI cluster, submitted by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India). The approval marks the first-ever Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) to be cleared under PM-SETU and makes Andhra Pradesh the first state to operationalise an industry partnership under the scheme.The approval was accorded during the third national steering committee meeting convened by the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship. The meeting was chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, secretary of the ministry, and attended by Dilip Kumar, director general, Directorate General of Training, along with members of the national steering committee.Senior representatives from the Capacity Building Commission, National Council for Vocational Education and Training, ministry of commerce and industry, ministry of heavy industries, ministry of labour and employment, participating state governments, industry leaders including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, ITC Limited and AM/NS India, as well as development partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank participated in the deliberations.A key outcome of the meeting was the approval of the SIP for the Visakhapatnam ITI cluster in Andhra Pradesh, submitted by AM/NS India. This is expected to transform ITIs into industry-managed, outcome-oriented institutions capable of responding to evolving workforce requirements. The approval of the proposal is expected to serve as a model for other states seeking to strengthen industry participation in vocational education and training and accelerate the implementation of PM-SETU interventions across the country.PM-SETU, a flagship initiative of the Union govt with an outlay of Rs 60,000 crore, aims to transform 1,000 government ITIs through an industry-led hub-and-spoke model. The scheme seeks to modernise infrastructure, strengthen industry engagement, improve employability outcomes, and establish national centres of excellence in high-growth sectors. While 32 states and Union territories constituted their state steering committees, 12 states/UTs floated their requests for proposals for inviting industry participation in the selection of anchor industry partners.