Context:

In a strategic push to modernize India’s vocational education and strengthen industry-aligned skills training, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched PM-SETU (Prime Minister’s Scheme for Empowerment through Technology Upgradation). This ambitious scheme is set to transform government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and revolutionize India’s skilling landscape.

Objectives:

• Upgrade outdated training facilities in ITIs and align them with global industry demands.
• Promote a “Government-owned, Industry-managed” model to ensure relevance and practical skills.
• Bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world employment needs.
• Prepare India's youth to meet 21st-century skill challenges globally and domestically.

Key Features:

Significance:

1. Strengthening Vocational Education: With over 70% of India's workforce still in the informal sector, PM-SETU will empower youth with formal technical skills.
2. Boosting Employment: Modern training and real-time industry exposure will increase employability and entrepreneurship.
3. Catalyst for Industry 4.0: Digital upgradation of ITIs will help India gear up for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
4. Balanced Regional Growth: ITIs in both urban and rural India will benefit, helping reduce urban migration.
5. Global Competitiveness: PM-SETU will align India’s workforce to international skill standards, helping in global labor mobility.

Challenges Ahead:

• Ensuring effective execution and utilization of allocated funds at the grassroots level.
• Bridging the urban-rural digital divide.
• Building capacity among trainers and administrators in ITIs to adopt new pedagogy.
• Need for continuous industry feedback to remain updated with evolving job demands.

population, driving economic growth and social inclusion.

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