NE YOUTH & SKILL DEVELOPMENT BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 7
In a landmark Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)-driven initiative that promises to reshape the future of technical education in Gujarat, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has committed ₹240.18 crore to transform a cluster of government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into industry-ready centres of excellence, positioning thousands of young Gujaratis for high-quality careers in advanced manufacturing and the emerging industrial economy.
- Corporate giant anchors one of India’s biggest industry-led skill development initiatives, placing Gujarat at the forefront of next-generation workforce creation
- Centre approves nationwide rollout of PM-SETU as ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India adopts Surat ITI cluster to build future-ready talent
- Five ITIs to be transformed into advanced industry-linked training hubs with modern infrastructure, cutting-edge technology and market-driven curriculum
- Industry-academia partnership aims to bridge the employability gap, generate high-quality jobs and strengthen Gujarat’s manufacturing ecosystem
- ₹1,237.58-crore Strategic Investment Plans approved across Gujarat, Odisha and Telangana with leading corporates as anchor partners
The initiative, approved by the National Steering Committee (NSC) under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme, places Gujarat at the centre of one of India’s most ambitious public-private skill development programmes, where industry will directly shape the next generation of technicians, engineers and skilled professionals.
The fourth meeting of the National Steering Committee, chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, also saw the participation of Dilip Kumar, Director General, Directorate General of Training, Manasi Sahay Thakur, Joint Secretary, senior representatives of State governments, multilateral agencies and industry leaders.
The committee approved the expansion of PM-SETU from its pilot stage into a nationwide programme covering 200 ITI clusters, enabling States and Union Territories to implement industry-led skill development based on local industrial demand and institutional readiness.
Among the biggest highlights was the approval of Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) worth ₹1,237.58 crore, with leading corporates partnering governments to modernise technical education.
For Gujarat, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India has been selected as the Anchor Industry Partner for the Surat ITI Cluster, with a proposed investment of ₹240.18 crore.
The cluster will comprise Government ITI Surat as the hub, supported by Government ITI Hajira, Government ITI Bardoli, Government ITI Sachin and Government ITI Surat (Mahila) as spoke institutions.
The transformation will go far beyond infrastructure upgrades. The institutions are expected to receive modern laboratories, industry-grade equipment, updated curricula, faculty development, digital learning systems and extensive industry engagement, ensuring that students graduate with skills aligned to the evolving requirements of India’s manufacturing sector.
The initiative assumes particular significance for Gujarat, where manufacturing, steel, engineering, ports, logistics, chemicals and renewable energy continue to generate substantial demand for a highly skilled workforce.
By leveraging its industrial expertise, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India is expected to help bridge the long-standing gap between classroom training and industry expectations, making students employment-ready from day one.
The committee also approved major industry-led ITI transformation projects in other States.
In Odisha, Jindal Naveen Avsar Limited will invest ₹240.21 crore to upgrade the Government ITI Barbil cluster.
In Telangana, Apollo MedSkills Limited, Sri Siddharth Infratech & Services (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Neuland Foundation will jointly anchor three ITI clusters with investments exceeding ₹757 crore.
The National Steering Committee also endorsed several reforms aimed at simplifying implementation, encouraging greater participation by industry and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and expanding institutional support for the nationwide rollout.
PM-SETU is one of the Government of India’s flagship reforms to modernise the Industrial Training Institute ecosystem through deep industry partnerships, upgraded infrastructure, future-ready curriculum and significantly improved employability outcomes.
For Gujarat’s youth, the partnership with ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India represents more than an investment in classrooms—it is an investment in careers, competitiveness and confidence. By integrating industry directly into vocational education, the initiative seeks to create a pipeline of globally skilled talent capable of powering Gujarat’s next phase of industrial growth while making young Indians future-ready for opportunities in advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and the digital economy.
