With this approval, Andhra Pradesh becomes the first state in India to operationalise an industry partnership under the ₹600 billion PM‑SETU scheme’s hub‑and‑spoke model.
The National Steering Committee (NSC) has approved the first‑ever strategic investment plan for the Visakhapatnam Industrial Training Institute (ITI) cluster in Andhra Pradesh, submitted by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) in partnership with the New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH). The proposal marks a milestone under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM‑SETU) scheme.
With this approval, Andhra Pradesh becomes the first state in India to operationalise an industry partnership under the hub‑and‑spoke model envisioned by PM‑SETU.
The decision was taken during the third NSC meeting convened by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in New Delhi on Saturday. The meeting was chaired by Secretary Debashree Mukherjee and attended by Dilip Kumar, Director General of Training. Senior representatives from the Capacity Building Commission, NCVET, and multiple ministries were also present, along with state government officials. Industry leaders, including HAL, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, ITC Ltd, AM/NS India, and NAMTECH, joined the deliberations. Development partners, such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, also participated.
This approval represents the first concrete step towards implementing PM‑SETU’s vision of transforming government ITIs into industry‑managed, outcome‑oriented institutions. It is expected to serve as a model for other states seeking to strengthen industry participation in vocational education and accelerate PM‑SETU interventions nationwide.
PM‑SETU, a flagship initiative with an outlay of ₹600 billion, aims to modernise 1,000 government ITIs through an industry‑led hub‑and‑spoke model. The scheme focuses on upgrading infrastructure, deepening industry engagement, improving employability outcomes, and establishing National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in high‑growth sectors. By fostering stronger government‑industry partnerships, PM‑SETU seeks to build a future‑ready workforce equipped for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
Request for proposals (RPFs) from 12 states and union territories are expected to close in the coming weeks.