Odisha to Modernise ITIs with Industry Support Under PM-Setu Scheme
10 training institutes to be upgraded as skill hubs to improve jobs and access for youth
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has started work to upgrade Industrial training institutes (ITIs) under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-Setu) scheme. In the first phase, 10 ITIs will be modernised with an investment of about ₹480 crore to improve skill training and job readiness among youth.
The state will follow a “hub and spoke” model for this project. Under this system, two major ITIs—Barbil and Sambalpur—will be developed as skill hubs. Each hub will be connected to four nearby ITIs, known as spokes. Together, they will form two clusters aimed at delivering modern, industry-linked training.
The hub ITIs will be equipped with advanced infrastructure such as innovation labs, incubation centres, and facilities for training trainers. They will also support curriculum upgrades and provide guidance to the spoke ITIs. The spoke institutes, mostly located in semi-urban and rural areas, will focus on specialised courses, digital learning, and placement support so that students outside cities also get quality skill education.
A senior official from the Skill Development and Technical Education (SDTE) department said TNIE that around ₹240 crore will be spent on each hub-and-spoke cluster. The funding will be shared among the Centre, state, and industry partners. The Centre will provide 50 per cent of the cost, the state will contribute 33 per cent, and the remaining amount will come from industries.
Apart from ITIs, the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Bhubaneswar will also be upgraded. It will be strengthened as a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) to support high-end skill training and capacity building. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has already initiated steps for this upgrade.
To ensure smooth implementation, the state government has formed a state-level steering committee this month. The committee will be chaired by the Chief Secretary. It will include the SDTE secretary, the Industries department secretary, officials from related departments, and representatives from industries. The committee will oversee planning, coordination, and execution of the scheme across the state.
At the national level, PM-Setu aims to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs into aspirational skill institutions and five NSTIs into National Centres of Excellence. The programme supports the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, which focuses on creating a skilled and employable workforce.
The total budget for PM-Setu is ₹60,000 crore over five years. Of this, ₹30,000 crore will be funded by the Centre, ₹20,000 crore by states, and ₹10,000 crore by industries. With this initiative, Odisha hopes to bridge the skill gap, attract industry participation, and improve employment opportunities for its youth.
