SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has expanded its Industrial Training Institute (ITI) network by 60 per cent over the last 12 years, while student enrolment has increased more than four-fold, as the Union Government prepares to implement the ambitious Rs 60,000 crore PM-SETU scheme aimed at transforming vocational education through industry-led modernisation and future-ready skills.
The latest figures were disclosed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the Lok Sabha on Monday, highlighting the sharp expansion of vocational training infrastructure in the Union Territory and outlining the framework of the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme.
According to the Ministry, Jammu and Kashmir had only 35 ITIs in 2014 with an enrolment of 2,279 trainees. By 2026, the number of ITIs had increased to 56, while enrolment rose to 10,047 students, reflecting growing demand for formal skill training in the Union Territory.
Nationally, the number of ITIs has increased from 9,642 in 2014 to 13,856 in 2026, while enrolment has grown from 9.51 lakh to 14.70 lakh trainees.
The expansion assumes significance for Jammu and Kashmir, where unemployment among educated youth remains one of the region’s most pressing economic challenges. Government officials believe strengthening vocational education can bridge the gap between education and employment by producing industry-ready workers in sectors ranging from construction and manufacturing to renewable energy and information technology.
The Centre said the newly launched Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme is designed to modernise the country’s vocational education ecosystem with a total investment of Rs 60,000 crore, comprising Rs 30,000 crore from the Centre, Rs 20,000 crore from states and Rs 10,000 crore from industry partners.
The scheme seeks to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs across India through a Hub-and-Spoke model, under which 200 Hub ITIs will mentor and support 800 Spoke ITIs. The selected institutions will receive smart classrooms, digitally enabled laboratories, upgraded workshops, modern equipment, digital learning resources and new courses aligned with changing industry requirements.
Unlike earlier government-driven programmes, PM-SETU places industry at the centre of planning and implementation. States and Union Territories are required to identify ITIs in consultation with industry and submit Strategic Investment Plans. Industry-led Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) will oversee infrastructure development, curriculum redesign, faculty support, apprenticeships and industry exposure to ensure training matches local employment opportunities.
The Ministry said the Directorate General of Training has already introduced 32 new-age trades under the Craftsmen Training Scheme that can be offered through upgraded ITIs. These include courses related to Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Electric Vehicles, Drone Technology, Semiconductors, Green Energy and other advanced manufacturing technologies, reflecting the changing demands of the labour market.
Besides upgrading ITIs, the scheme also proposes strengthening five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) located in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur and Ludhiana by establishing sector-specific National Centres of Excellence to improve trainer capacity, curriculum development and international collaborations.
