Punjab seeks five ITI hubs, anticipates sharp rise in enrolments

Since 2022, Punjab has doubled its ITI seats from 25,000 to 52,000, with admission rates surging from 60% to a projected 98% this year.

By: Express News Service

Chandigarh | August 29, 2025 08:10 AM IST

The demand was raised by Harjot Singh Bains during a regional ministers’ conference held in Chandigarh

Anticipating a sharp rise in enrolments in Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), Punjab has sought the establishment of five ITI hubs in the state. The demand was formally raised by state minister for employment generation, skill development and training, Harjot Singh Bains during a regional ministers’ conference held in Chandigarh, Thursday.

In the conference chaired by Union minister Jayant Chaudhary, Bains also urged the Centre to establish an Indian Institute of Skills in Ludhiana. Bains highlighted Punjab’s progress in technical education, noting that since 2022, the state has doubled its ITI seats from 25,000 to 52,000, with admission rates surging from 60% to a projected 98% this year, while ensuring optimal utilisation of infrastructure and creating a more skilled workforce.

The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) convened the Regional Conference of Skill Ministers – Kaushal Manthan in Chandigarh, aimed at deepening collaboration between the Centre, States and Union Territories on the future of skills and entrepreneurship. The conference witnessed participation from State/UT Governments of Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

At the heart of the conference was the recently approved Rs 60,000 crore National Scheme for ITI Upgradation and Setting up of Centre of Excellence for Skilling, which seeks to transform 1,000 Government ITIs into world-class institutes of excellence through a hub-and-spoke model, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. The transformation will be led by industry-led special purpose vehicles, say the officials.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary underscored the importance of coordination and convergence. He said: “All our skilling schemes today are designed to be flexible, transparent, and accessible. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme offers complete flexibility for apprenticeships specially with the new revised Apprenticeship Portal, while the new ITI Upgradation scheme with cluster-based mapping and a 5-year plan will ensure long-term impact. But let me stress — skill development is not just the responsibility of the government; it is also for students to step forward and seize the best opportunities.”

“We must start recognising language as a skill, and even sports as a skill, because tomorrow’s economy — from manufacturing to the sporting industry — will demand it. The future lies in convergence, and through it, we are preparing a workforce that is aspirational, future-ready, and globally relevant,” he further added.

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