Andhra Pradesh First to Operationalise Industry Partnership Under PM-SETU

Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in the country to operationalise an industry partnership under the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme, following approval of the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster.

The approval was granted by the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), making the Visakhapatnam cluster the first project cleared under the Rs 60,000-crore PM-SETU programme.

The proposal was submitted by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India in partnership with the New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH), positioning Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of industry-led vocational education reforms.

The decision was taken at the third meeting of the National Steering Committee held at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and attended by senior officials from the Directorate General of Training, representatives of Central ministries, state governments, industry bodies and development partners, including the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

Officials described the approval as a significant step towards transforming government Industrial Training Institutes into modern, industry-managed institutions aligned with emerging technologies and workforce requirements.

With Andhra Pradesh becoming the first state to onboard an Anchor Industry Partner under PM-SETU, the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster is expected to serve as a model for strengthening industry participation in vocational education across the country.

The committee also reviewed the implementation of PM-SETU nationwide and discussed measures to strengthen industry-led governance, improve institutional management, ensure financial sustainability and accelerate project execution.

PM-SETU aims to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs across the country through a hub-and-spoke model based on partnerships between governments and industry. The programme seeks to modernise infrastructure, improve employability outcomes and establish National Centres of Excellence in high-growth sectors.

According to the ministry, 32 states and Union Territories have constituted State Steering Committees, while 12 states have invited proposals from industries to participate as Anchor Industry Partners. Several proposals are at advanced stages of evaluation and approval.