Maharashtra-South Korea Partnership to Boost Skill Development: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Three Historic Agreements to Create Global-Level Opportunities for Youth in the State

Mumbai, May 2026 : South Korea has created a distinct global identity in new-age industries, businesses, and skill development. Through the cooperation agreements signed between Maharashtra and South Korea, Korea’s advanced skills and technology will come to India, directly benefiting Indian students. Through these agreements, support will be provided for training at all levels, from basic industrial skills to advanced high-level expertise, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis between the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training and South Korea’s Korea Polytechnics, Maharashtra State Skill Development Society and South Korea’s National Institute for Lifelong Education, and the Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skill University with two branches of a prestigious South Korean institution.

Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Lokesh Chandra, Director of Vocational Education and Training Dr Satish Suryawanshi, Vice Chancellor of Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skill University Dr Apurva Palkar, Director General Training Dilip Kumar, Regional Director of National Skill Institute C.S. Murthy, Maharashtra State Innovation Society Commissioner Dr Amit Saini, Mumbai City Collector Aanchal Goyal, and delegates from the Republic of Korea including Dr Seung Hoon Han from KAIST, Dr Youngah Kang from Korea Polytechnics, Ms Min-Seon Park from the National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE), along with senior representatives from Krevit, KEIS and Nexon Technology attended the event.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the Skill Development Department has taken a major step toward utilising India’s demographic advantage and the innovation potential of its youth for national development. Nearly 65 per cent of India’s population is below the age of 35, and this age group is the country’s real strength. Transforming the innovation and talent of this generation into productive human resources is the government’s primary objective, he said.

Fadnavis stated that Maharashtra is the growth engine of India, with an economy currently valued at 660 billion dollars and an objective to take it to one trillion dollars in the near future. To achieve this target, industries will require highly skilled manpower at every level. The international skill agreements signed with South Korea will provide significant momentum to Maharashtra’s economic growth. He said the agreements would soon be translated into action and would help create a skilled workforce for industries while opening global employment opportunities for Indian youth.

A New Era for Skill Development in Maharashtra: Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha

Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said the agreements are extremely important in creating global-standard skills, modern technology training, and international employment opportunities for youth in Maharashtra. The partnership with leading South Korean institutions will provide new strength to the state’s skill development ecosystem.

He added that the Maharashtra government remains committed to developing technology-friendly, innovation-driven, and industry-ready manpower according to industrial requirements. The cooperation will help Maharashtra emerge as a leader in skill development, employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Two-Day Workshop with South Korean Cooperation for Daksh Project: Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma

Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma said that under the ‘Daksh’ initiative and the Korea-World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF), World Bank support has become extremely important in elevating Maharashtra’s skill development ecosystem to global standards.

Through this grant, long-term reform projects in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), including skill gap assessments, tracer studies of ITI students, and model ITI concepts, are being successfully implemented.

The workshop organised in Mumbai on May 21 and 22, 2026, brings together experts from the Government of India, Maharashtra Government, and leading South Korean skill institutions on a single platform. She said the experiences of global institutions like Korea Polytechnics and KRIVET, along with guidance from Indian industry leaders, would further strengthen institutional capacities.

Verma expressed confidence that strengthening the TVET system would become the foundation for achieving the goals of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and “Viksit Maharashtra 2047”.

‘Learning Factory’ Model to Be Established in Maharashtra Through DVET-KOPO Partnership

The agreement between Maharashtra’s Directorate of Vocational Education and Training and South Korea’s Korea Polytechnics is being seen as a major milestone for technical and vocational education in the state.

Under the agreement, advanced training centres based on South Korea’s renowned “Learning Factory” model will be established in Maharashtra. These centres will provide industry-oriented training based on advanced technologies and practical learning.

KOPO will function as the key implementation partner, while Korean technical institutions such as KT, KITECH, and KATECH may also participate as required. Strategic manuals for these centres will be prepared between May and September 2026, while the centres are expected to become fully operational between March 2027 and June 2028.

Students will receive training through advanced machinery, industry-oriented curricula, and trained instructors.

MSSDS-NILE Agreement to Promote Lifelong Learning in Maharashtra

The agreement between Maharashtra State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) and South Korea’s National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE) is expected to give a new direction to continuous education and skill enhancement in the state.

The primary objective of the agreement is to formulate a comprehensive “Lifelong Learning” strategy for Maharashtra. Digital learning and certification systems will be developed to help youth and working professionals continuously upgrade their skills in line with changing technology and employment demands.

A lifelong learning policy framework and operational manual will be prepared for the state. Digital platforms for upskilling and reskilling will also be developed to bridge the gap between industry and education.

Implementation of these programmes is scheduled between January 2027 and June 2028.

RT-MSSU and KAIST Partnership to Create Global Opportunities in Research and Higher Education

The agreement between Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skill University (RT-MSSU) and two branches of South Korea’s prestigious KAIST institution is being considered highly significant for higher education and research in Maharashtra.

The collaboration with KAIST’s Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainability (KAIST-GGGS) and Graduate School of Global Digital Innovation (KAIST-GDI) will focus on sustainable development and digital innovation.

Under the agreement, selected faculty members, staff, and alumni of RT-MSSU will be able to pursue Master’s and PhD programmes at KAIST. After completing their studies, these experts will return to Maharashtra and contribute to strengthening the university’s academic and research capabilities.

The two institutions will also establish a Joint Research Centre on Global Sustainability. Additionally, a Joint Steering Committee will be formed to ensure effective planning and implementation of the long-term partnership.

Team Maverick.