Andhra Pradesh becomes the first state to operationalise an industry partnership under PM-SETU after approval of the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster plan.
New Delhi, May 30: Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in the country to operationalise an industry partnership under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme after the National Steering Committee approved the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster.
The proposal was submitted by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) in partnership with the New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH). The approval marks the first Strategic Investment Plan to be cleared under the PM-SETU programme and represents a key milestone in the rollout of the Centre’s initiative to modernise Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) through industry participation.
The approval was granted during the third meeting of the National Steering Committee convened by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi.
The meeting was chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Dilip Kumar, Director General of the Directorate General of Training (DGT), and other members of the National Steering Committee also participated in the discussions.
Representatives from the Capacity Building Commission, National Council for Vocational Education and Training, the Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Heavy Industries, and Labour and Employment, along with participating state governments and industry partners, attended the meeting. Industry representatives included Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, ITC Limited and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India. Development partners such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank were also present.
According to the ministry, the approval of the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster makes Andhra Pradesh the first state under PM-SETU to formally onboard an Anchor Industry Partner. The move advances the implementation of the industry-led Hub-and-Spoke model that forms the foundation of the scheme.
Officials said the approved proposal is expected to help transform ITIs into industry-managed and outcome-oriented institutions capable of responding more effectively to changing workforce requirements. The initiative aims to strengthen the link between vocational training and industry demand while improving employment outcomes for trainees.
The National Steering Committee also reviewed the overall progress of PM-SETU implementation across participating states and union territories. Discussions focused on measures to strengthen industry participation, improve institutional governance, enhance the financial sustainability of Special Purpose Vehicles, and accelerate project implementation.
The meeting further examined mechanisms to promote industry-led governance and outcome-based skilling. Participants discussed ways to deepen collaboration between industries, state governments and training institutions to ensure that vocational education remains aligned with emerging sectors and future workforce needs.
PM-SETU is a flagship Government of India initiative with an outlay of ?60,000 crore. The programme seeks to transform 1,000 government ITIs through an industry-led model, modernise training infrastructure, strengthen industry engagement and establish National Centres of Excellence in high-growth sectors.
The scheme is designed to prepare a future-ready workforce by promoting advanced manufacturing capabilities and emerging technologies through stronger government-industry partnerships.
The ministry stated that implementation momentum is building across the country. So far, 32 states and union territories have constituted State Steering Committees, while 12 states and union territories have issued Requests for Proposals to invite industry participation in selecting Anchor Industry Partners.
Several of these selection processes are nearing completion, with additional state-industry consultations planned in the coming weeks. Officials said the growing participation reflects increasing alignment between industry interest and state-level preparedness for the programme.
With more Strategic Investment Plans expected to be placed before the National Steering Committee in the coming months, the government expects PM-SETU to accelerate the transformation of India’s vocational education and training ecosystem as part of the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
