“Uttar Pradesh is scaling up its Skill India Mission with new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to empower youth with industry-relevant skills. Aimed at tackling unemployment, these ITIs focus on modern technologies like AI, robotics, and green jobs. With a ₹1,000 crore budget, the initiative targets training 20 lakh youth over five years, enhancing employability and fostering economic growth.”
Uttar Pradesh Bolsters Skill India with New ITIs for Job Creation
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, is taking significant strides to address youth unemployment through the Skill India Mission by establishing new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). As part of the Union Budget 2024-25, the central government has allocated ₹1,000 crore to modernize 1,000 ITIs nationwide under a hub-and-spoke model, with Uttar Pradesh at the forefront of this transformative initiative. These ITIs aim to train 20 lakh youth over the next five years, equipping them with skills aligned with industry demands, particularly in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, robotics, drone technology, and green jobs.
The Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM), launched in 2017, has already trained thousands of youth in the 14-35 age group, focusing on demand-driven skills. The new ITIs will build on this foundation, offering courses compliant with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). According to recent data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Uttar Pradesh’s youth unemployment rate stands at approximately 10%, down from 17.8% in FY18, yet the state lags in quality job creation. The new ITIs aim to bridge this gap by providing practical, industry-oriented training.
In 2024, the state government partnered with industry leaders to establish Centers of Excellence in ITIs at key industrial hubs like Kanpur, Lucknow, and Noida. These centers, supported by public-private partnerships, offer advanced training in high-demand fields such as IT, electronics, and renewable energy. For instance, the ITI in Haridwar, a model for UP’s new institutes, has seen 80% of its trainees secure jobs with salaries ranging from ₹19,500 to ₹26,000 per month, significantly higher than the average for ITI graduates.
The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), launched in 2023, complements these efforts by providing free online courses in coding, digital marketing, and AI. As of May 2025, SIDH has enrolled over 5 lakh UP youth, with 30% being women, addressing the state’s low female workforce participation rate of 22%. The platform’s integration with India Stack Global ensures scalable, secure access to job opportunities and digital certifications.
The initiative also emphasizes inclusivity, with 30% of training slots reserved for women and 20% for minorities. Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 and the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) are integral, offering financial incentives to employers and on-the-job training. In UP, PMKVY has trained 15 lakh candidates since 2015, with 70% securing employment in sectors like manufacturing and IT.
However, challenges remain. The India Skills Report 2025 highlights that only 54.81% of graduates are employable, underscoring a persistent skills mismatch. Outdated curricula and limited digital fluency in rural ITIs hinder progress. To address this, UP is introducing drone training in 116 ITIs and collaborating with tech giants like TCS and NASSCOM for courses in emerging technologies. The state’s focus on green jobs aligns with India’s sustainability goals, with demand for skilled workers in renewable energy projected to grow by 20% by 2030.
Industry leaders have lauded UP’s efforts. “These ITIs are a game-changer, creating a skilled workforce for our growing industries,” said Anil Gupta, CEO of a Noida-based electronics firm. The state’s industrial growth, with manufacturing’s share in GSDP rising from 12% in 2010 to 15% in 2024, underscores the need for such initiatives. By aligning training with market needs, UP aims to transform its youth into a global workforce, potentially reducing the projected skill deficit of 29 million by 2030, as estimated by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
Disclaimer:
This article is based on recent news, government reports, and data from sources like the Periodic Labour Force Survey, India Skills Report 2025, and the National Skill Development Corporation. Information is accurate as of September 2025. Readers are advised to verify details with official sources for the latest updates.
Tags:
Skill India, Uttar Pradesh, ITIs, Youth Employment, Skill Development, PMKVY, UPSDM, Green Jobs, AI Training, Vocational Education
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