New Delhi : The Union government plans to transform Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country into AI-driven training centres, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday.
Speaking at the Indian Foundation for Quality Management’s (IFQM) second annual symposium, Sitharaman highlighted that the government has focused on skilling and upskilling over the past two to three years, allocating funds for these initiatives in the annual budgets.
She explained that ITIs were not keeping pace with the rapidly changing production environment. To address this, the government launched a hub-and-spoke model to upgrade them.
Sitharaman said, “If these ITIs adopt the hub-and-spoke model within the state, we will provide full funding to upgrade them into AI-driven training centres.”
She added that the government has identified institutes of excellence, such as the IITs and the Indian Institute of Science, to establish AI-focused R&D centres and training programmes.
The FM emphasized that the budget aims to equip youngsters with AI-driven skills, even if they are school dropouts, pass-outs, or graduates seeking new qualifications.
“All such individuals can enroll in ITI-based programmes. These hubs will offer hands-on AI training to students,” she said, noting that many states are eager to implement the model.
Highlighting the urgency to upskill India’s youth for immediate employment, Sitharaman urged private sector participation.
She stated, “We must bridge human resource gaps. Many graduates hold degrees but lack the practical skills or personality grooming needed to join multinational or Indian companies. The government and private sector must work together to prepare youth for quick and direct employment.”
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