The National Steering Committee has approved the Strategic Investment Plan for the Visakhapatnam Industrial Training Institute cluster submitted by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) in partnership with New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH) under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme. The approval marks the first Strategic Investment Plan cleared under PM-SETU and makes Andhra Pradesh the first state to operationalise an industry partnership under the programme. The meeting took place at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi during the third National Steering Committee meeting convened by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

The committee noted that the approval represents a concrete step towards transforming Government ITIs into industry-managed, outcome-oriented institutions capable of responding to evolving workforce requirements. The project will be implemented through the Hub-and-Spoke model with an Anchor Industry Partner to support governance, curriculum alignment and infrastructure modernisation. Senior officials and representatives from central ministries, State Governments, industry partners including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, ITC Limited and AM/NS India as well as development partners including the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank participated in the deliberations.

PM-SETU, with an outlay of Rs 600 bn, aims to modernise 1,000 Government ITIs, strengthen industry engagement and establish National Centres of Excellence in high-growth sectors to enhance employability outcomes. The scheme seeks to build a future-ready workforce equipped for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies through closer government-industry collaboration and outcome-based skilling. The National Steering Committee also reviewed implementation progress across participating States and discussed measures to strengthen governance and the financial sustainability of Special Purpose Vehicles.

32 States and Union Territories have constituted State Steering Committees and 12 have floated requests for proposals to invite Anchor Industry Partners. Central and State Governments will coordinate to convert preparatory milestones into on-ground execution.