Mumbai, August 2026: Tata STRIVE, an initiative of the Tata Community Initiatives Trust, has been undertaking various programmes to enhance the skills, employability, entrepreneurship and innovation capabilities of Maharashtra’s youth. The initiative has been operating in the state since 2015, with major skill development centres functioning in Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the initiative would provide further momentum to employment generation in the state.
The Nagpur centre was recently inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on July 26, 2026. More than 8,000 young people have so far received employment-oriented skill training through these major centres.
The initiative is being implemented under the leadership of Minister for Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Mangal Prabhat Lodha. More than 6,000 additional trainees have received job-oriented skill training through Tata STRIVE’s various expansion and partner centres.
Specialised training facilities have been developed for the air-conditioning sector in Thane and for the automobile sector in Pune and Bhilwadi in Sangli district. Multi-skilling training centres are also operational in Taloja and Nagpur.
‘Dual VET’ Programme in ITIs
In partnership with Siemens, Tata STRIVE has implemented the Dual Vocational Education and Training (Dual VET) programme in 270 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Maharashtra.
Through the initiative, more than 600 instructors have received training in pedagogical skills, while over 35,000 trainees have gained practical exposure to industries and projects. Trainees are provided opportunities for on-the-job training during both the first and second years of their ITI courses.
In collaboration with Bajaj Auto Limited, a certificate course based on Total Productive Maintenance principles has been conducted since last year in 18 ITIs in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, comprising 11 government and seven private institutions.
More than 3,500 trainees had registered for engineering courses through Bajaj Manufacturing’s Bajaj Online Learning and Discovery learning management system. The initiative is currently being implemented in more than 900 ITIs across Maharashtra, with over 80,000 trainees registered.
Focus on Entrepreneurship and Digital Skills
Tata STRIVE has provided entrepreneurship training to more than 1,800 people in Maharashtra and extended financial and mentoring support to help them establish businesses. Organisations including Sahyadri Farms, Tata Capital, Tata Communications, SIDBI, Original Composite Company and the Maharashtra State Skill Development Society have supported the initiative.
Through digital programmes implemented in partnership with Microsoft, Google and Amazon, more than 4,000 trainees in Maharashtra have received training in areas such as cybersecurity, IT systems, digital marketing, UX design and cloud computing.
Comprehensive MoU with Maharashtra Government
The Department of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation of the Maharashtra government and Tata Community Initiatives Trust signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 15, 2022.
The agreement covers employment-oriented skill training, entrepreneurship and innovation development, strengthening community-based enterprises, improving the employability of students in government ITIs, developing infrastructure for skill training, enhancing the capacity of trainers and expanding the Dual VET programme.
Strengthening 5,000 Self-Help Groups in Pimpri-Chinchwad
Since 2023, Tata STRIVE has been working with the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation under ‘Project Sakshama’ to strengthen 5,000 self-help groups (SHGs) over three years.
The initiative focuses on baseline surveys of SHGs, technology-based data collection and progress monitoring, training, development of livelihood models and market linkages.
Tata STRIVE has established a technical assistance cell in the Pimpri-Chinchwad region. Since December 2023, participatory baseline surveys have been conducted covering around 10,000 SHGs. More than 5,000 active SHGs are currently being strengthened through various training and support programmes.
Tata STRIVE Ready to Support Skill Courses in Colleges
Tata STRIVE has also expressed its willingness to participate in the Maharashtra government’s initiative to introduce skill-based courses in universities and colleges across the state.
The organisation has proposed working with universities and colleges to develop industry-relevant curricula and provide skill training through experienced trainers and industry experts.
Collaboration with Tata STRIVE to Be Further Expanded: Manisha Verma
Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Manisha Verma said the government was implementing a Dual Vocational Education System in collaboration with Tata STRIVE, Siemens and Bajaj to increase on-the-job training and placement opportunities for ITI students.
“Tata STRIVE is our key partner in this initiative. Going forward, we will further expand this collaboration to equip young people for employment and self-employment while promoting entrepreneurship,” Verma said.
