PM-SETU Industry Meet Focuses on Building Skilled, Job-Ready Youth Aligned with ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’

Mumbai, Feb 2026 : As part of the implementation of the PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) scheme, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) recently organised an important industry interaction in Pune. The programme was held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA).

Senior officials including Debashree Mukherjee from the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Manisha Verma, Additional Chief Secretary, Skill Development Department, were present at the event. As part of the programme, office visits were also conducted at ITI Aundh, Pune, Fronius India Pvt. Ltd., Bhosari, and Lighthouse, Nigdi.

Madhavi Sardeshmukh, Director of the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training, made a detailed presentation on the PM-SETU scheme. The discussion was attended by Additional Secretary, MSDE, Niranjan Kumar Sudhanshu, Commissioner, Directorate of Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Amit Saini, Director, RDSDE, S. Murthy Chegondi, Deputy Director from New Delhi, Divyanshu, along with representatives from various industries.

The deliberations focused on the hub-and-spoke ITI model, industry-led innovations through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and their impact on employment outcomes. Industry partners highlighted the advantages of collaboration, including the creation of a reliable pipeline of job-ready trainees, access to modern laboratories and advanced equipment, and opportunities to transform ITIs into manufacturing and innovation hubs.

Participants also emphasised strategic benefits such as greater control within governance structures, improvements in teaching methodologies and faculty upskilling, enhanced employer branding, and alignment with CSR and ESG priorities.

The PM-SETU scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2025, aims to upgrade ITI infrastructure, introduce contemporary, future-ready curricula, and promote industry-led governance with an outlay of ₹60,000 crore over five years. The overarching objective is to create a skilled and employable youth workforce aligned with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

Around 36 eligible companies from sectors such as automotive, construction, textiles, FMCG, electronics, oil and gas, and renewable energy participated in the interaction.