“The Centre’s ₹475.41 crore approval under the PM-SETU scheme to upgrade 10 ITIs in Jammu and Kashmir (₹240 crore for Jammu and ₹235.41 crore for Srinagar) aims to modernize technical education, align courses with industry needs, and boost youth employment.”
Shafqat Bukhari
The Centre’s approval of ₹475.41 crore for upgrading 10 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Jammu and Kashmir is a significant opportunity to strengthen technical education and expand employment prospects for young people. At a time when providing meaningful livelihoods to educated youth remains a major developmental priority, modernising vocational institutions and aligning their courses with industry requirements can help bridge the gap between education and employment. The investment, approved under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme, covers two clusters: Jammu and Srinagar. The allocation of ₹240 crore for the Jammu cluster and ₹235.41 crore for the Srinagar cluster reflects a substantial commitment to strengthening the region’s vocational training infrastructure. More importantly, the initiative offers an opportunity to reshape how technical skills are imparted, assessed and connected with actual employment opportunities. The proposed partnership between the government, industry and participating ITIs is central to the scheme’s potential. Government institutions possess an established network of training facilities and access to students, while industry partners can contribute practical knowledge, technological expertise and an understanding of changing workplace requirements. If effectively implemented, this collaboration can make vocational education more relevant to the needs of employers and emerging economic sectors. Under the Jammu cluster, Government ITI Jammu will serve as the hub, with institutions at R S Pura, Nowshera, Samba and Kathua functioning as associated institutes. In the Kashmir division, Government ITI Srinagar will anchor the cluster, supported by ITIs at Ganderbal, Kangan, Budgam and Charar-i-Sharief. This hub-and-spoke arrangement can help distribute improved training facilities and technical expertise across multiple districts rather than concentrating resources in a single institution. The real significance of the investment, however, will depend on what students experience inside these institutions. Modern buildings and equipment are important, but vocational education succeeds when students acquire practical competencies that employers value. Updated workshops, functional machinery, digital learning facilities, trained instructors and regular exposure to industrial workplaces must therefore form the core of the upgrading process. Equally important is the selection of courses. Jammu and Kashmir has opportunities in tourism, hospitality, construction, electrical maintenance, renewable energy, automobile servicing, information technology, food processing and other technical fields. Training programmes designed around these sectors can help students develop skills relevant to local businesses while preparing them for employment opportunities elsewhere.
“A ₹475.41 crore initiative aims to transform Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Jammu and Kashmir by aligning technical training in food processing, maintenance, and agricultural supply chains with modern industry demands. Achieving lasting success requires active employer involvement in curriculum design and apprenticeships, adherence to ISO and World Skills quality standards, and guaranteed placement pathways. To ensure these upgraded facilities effectively empower rural and economically weaker youth, the ministry must establish transparent implementation timelines, public progress tracking, and clear performance metrics focused on job placement and starting salaries.”
The region’s traditional economic strengths also deserve attention. Horticulture, cold-chain management, food processing, handicrafts and small-scale manufacturing can create demand for specialised technical skills. ITIs could play a greater role in training refrigeration technicians, food-processing operators, equipment maintenance workers and professionals capable of supporting modern agricultural supply chains. Industry participation must extend beyond financial commitments. Employers should contribute to curriculum development, provide apprenticeships, arrange workplace exposure and offer regular feedback on students’ performance. Where possible, institutions should establish clear placement pathways before introducing new courses. This would help ensure that training leads to realistic career opportunities rather than certificates without employment prospects. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has also emphasised improving training quality, pursuing ISO certification and incorporating at least one World Skills-aligned trade or competency area in the implementation plans. These priorities can encourage institutions to adopt measurable standards and prepare students for competitive professional environments. Yet, the success of the initiative will require clear timelines and transparent monitoring. The ministry’s announcement did not specify when the proposed upgrades would be completed or when the new courses would become available. Students and their families would benefit from a published implementation schedule, regular progress reports and clear information about course offerings, admissions and industry partnerships. Performance should ultimately be measured through student enrolment and completion, instructor training, apprenticeship opportunities, placement rates, starting salaries and employer feedback. Particular attention should be given to ensuring that students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds can access the improved facilities. The approval of ₹475.41 crore is an encouraging beginning. Its lasting value will emerge when the investment produces modern training institutions, capable instructors and skilled graduates who can compete confidently in the labour market. For Jammu and Kashmir, strengthening ITIs is not merely an exercise in upgrading infrastructure; it is an investment in the productive potential of its youth.
