India Boosts Youth Employment with Enhanced Skill Training Programs
The Directorate General of Training (DGT), which operates under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), is propelling India’s youth toward enhanced employability through its Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). With a vast network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the nation, the program offers comprehensive training in 169 diverse trades. Currently, these courses are available at 14,688 ITIs, consisting of 3,345 government and 11,343 private institutions.
The CTS regularly updates its curriculum to reflect the latest industry demands, integrating insights from industry leaders, academia, and state governments. These revisions aim to incorporate emerging technologies, modern tools, and advanced machinery that equip trainees for both wage employment and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Over the past three years, DGT has made significant strides in its training offerings. In total, 14 new CTS courses have been established, and 22 existing courses modified to better meet the evolving needs of industries. Enrollment figures have surged, climbing from approximately 12.51 lakh in the 2022-23 academic year to an expected 14.70 lakh in 2025-26.
New Age Trades and Trainer Capacity Building
Among the most notable additions are 31 New Age trades that cover contemporary fields such as artificial intelligence, drones, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and green energy. These innovative trades have been developed with feedback from industry experts to ensure alignment with the fast-paced changes in the job market. A detailed list of these New Age trades can be found in Annexure-1.
To bolster instructor capabilities, the Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) is implemented nationwide. This initiative ensures that trainer candidates receive in-depth training not only in hands-on skills but also in effective teaching methodologies. Over the last three years, this program has successfully trained 27,677 instructors, thereby enhancing the quality of vocational education.
PM-SETU Scheme Enhances Vocational Training Quality
In a bid to further elevate the standards of vocational training across the country, the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) Scheme has been introduced. This initiative focuses on the comprehensive renovation of 1,000 government ITIs (200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs), upgrading them with state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and industry-relevant curricula. Implementation of this scheme ensures collaboration with local industries and governments to tailor programs that meet regional economic needs.
The expansion of new trade offerings and seating capacities in government ITIs falls within the purview of state governments and Union Territory Administrations, who oversee the review of proposals in accordance with established guidelines.
Through its ongoing commitment to adapt training programs in line with the latest technological trends and skills requirements, DGT is dedicated to empowering the workforce of India as it strides toward a more skilled future.
List of 31 New Age Trades
| Sr. No | Trade Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Technician |
| 2 | Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter |
| 3 | Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant |
| 4 | Advance CNC Machining Technician |
| 5 | Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Programmer |
| 6 | Drone Pilot (Junior) |
| 7 | Drone Technician |
| 8 | Engineering Design Technician (Artisan Using Advanced Tool) |
| 9 | Fiber to Home Technician |
| 10 | Geo Informatics Assistant |
| 11 | Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Technician |
| 12 | Industrial Robotics and Digital Manufacturing |
| 13 | Information Technology |
| 14 | Internet of Things Technician (Smart Agriculture) |
| 15 | Internet of Things Technician (Smart City) |
| 16 | Internet of Things Technician (Smart Healthcare) |
| 17 | Manufacturing Process Control & Automation |
| 18 | Mechanic Electric Vehicle |
| 19 | Multimedia, Animation & Special Effects |
| 20 | Semiconductor Technician |
| 21 | Small Hydro Power Plant Technician |
| 22 | Smartphone Technician Cum App Tester |
| 23 | Software Testing Assistant |
| 24 | Solar Technician (Electrical) |
| 25 | Technician Mechatronics |
| 26 | Virtual Analysis and Designer – FEM (Finite Element Method) |
| 27 | Wind Plant Technician |
| 28 | 5G Network Technician |
| 29 | Cyber Security Assistant |
| 30 | Data Annotation Assistant |
| 31 | Green Hydrogen Production Technician |
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