State to Set Up Advanced Labs in 20 Government ITIs

Three MoUs Signed in Presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis by Department of Skill Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation

Mumbai – The Maharashtra government will establish state-of-the-art laboratories in 20 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state, organize entrepreneurship fairs to train micro and small entrepreneurs, and enhance technical education and employment opportunities for differently-abled students enrolled in ITIs. Three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Department of Skill Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation and social organizations including Sri Sri Rural Development Program Trust (Bangalore), Schneider Electric India Foundation (Bangalore), deAsra Foundation (Pune), and Project Mumbai (Andheri), in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The MoUs were signed at the Ministry after the Cabinet meeting, in the presence of Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Skill Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, other Cabinet members, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary of Skill Department Manisha Verma, Skill Development Commissioner Nitin Patil, Director of Vocational Education and Training Madhavi Sardeshmukh, Joint Director Satish Suryavanshi, Sri Sri Trust Trustee Vijay Hake, Schneider Electric CSR Head Richa Gautam and Damini Chaudhary, Project Mumbai Director Jalaj Dani, and deAsra CEO Ashish Pandit.

Tripartite MoU for Modern Training and Tech Labs

A tripartite MoU was signed between Sri Sri Rural Development Trust, Schneider Electric India Foundation, and the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training to provide training in new technologies and industrial skills. The Sri Sri Trust will offer soft skills, leadership, and business training, while Schneider will support with CSR initiatives to promote education and employment across India.

Over the next three years, 20 state-run ITIs will upgrade electrician workshops and install solar technician and industrial automation labs. Schneider will also provide free 15-day training in Bengaluru for all electrician instructors in the state. The program aims to train 9,750 students over four years in advanced electrician skills and renewable energy.

The selected ITIs are from regions including Mumbai, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Amravati, and Nashik. The training rollout will be phased: 1,500 students in 10 centers in year one, 2,250 in 15 centers in year two, and 3,000 each in the third and fourth years.

MoU Between Maharashtra Innovation Society and deAsra Foundation

An MoU was signed between Maharashtra State Innovation Society and Pune-based deAsra Foundation to support entrepreneurship development. The initiative aims to provide training, expert guidance, and development programs to micro and small entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial fairs will be held across districts, targeting 5,000 beneficiaries including aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and early-stage startups. deAsra will assist in business management, financial literacy, marketing, and capacity-building sessions.

MoU with Project Mumbai for Differently-Abled Students

A significant MoU was also signed between the Directorate of Vocational Education and Project Mumbai to enhance technical training and employment for differently-abled ITI students. Project Mumbai will collaborate on designing special skill programs, developing Indian Sign Language curricula, teacher training, and organizing on-the-job training with industry partners. A joint committee of five members – three from the Directorate and two from Project Mumbai – will be formed to implement the initiative.