Lone khalid cniSrinagar, CNI NEWS): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday asserted that the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and
Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme will fundamentally revamp Jammu and Kashmir’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), turning them into industry-driven centres of advanced skilling and employability.Chairing the maiden UT-level Steering Committee meeting to oversee the implementation of the scheme, Dulloo emphasised that the proposed transformation must transcend conventional infrastructure augmentation and establish a robust ecosystem aligned with industrial demand, technological advancements and emerging employment
avenues.He stressed that industry partners must bring more than financial participation, calling for their substantive involvement in technology transfer, domain expertise, contemporary training methodologies, exposure to industrial processes and credible placement avenues for trained youth.“ITIs must be closely synchronised with industry requirements so that the skills imparted translate into meaningful and remunerative employment,” the Chief Secretary said, underscoring the imperative of closer collaboration among the government, industry and training institutions.Secretary, Skill
Development Department, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, briefed the committee on the institutional architecture, financing mechanism, proposed upgradation and implementation roadmap of PM-SETU.The scheme envisages an indicative investment of ₹482 crore over five years in J&K, with ₹241 crore earmarked for each hub-and-spoke cluster. As part of the initiative, 10 government ITIs will be transformed into modern, industry-oriented institutions.The institutions will be structured into two hub-and-spoke clusters, with one Hub ITI in each
administrative division functioning as a technological and resource centre for four Spoke ITIs.The upgraded hubs will be equipped with advanced technologies, modern training infrastructure and incubation facilities, besides strengthening the capacities of trainers. The scheme has set an institutional placement target of 75 per cent.A defining feature of PM-SETU is its industry-led implementation mechanism through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), enabling
industry stakeholders to play a decisive role in institutional governance, curriculum selection, technology adoption, training and placements. The framework seeks to ensure that skilling remains demand-driven and responsive to evolving market requirements.The priority sectors include advanced and smart manufacturing, heavy engineering and automotive, electricals, electronics and telecom, process and food processing industries, textiles and garments, construction and building interiors, besides other emerging sectors with substantial employment potential.
The financial architecture envisages a tripartite contribution, with 74.7 per cent from the Centre, 8.3 per cent from the UT Government and 17 per cent from Anchor Industry Partners.Dulloo, while concluding the meeting, maintained that the scheme’s success would be judged by its ability to establish a sustained pipeline of industry-ready manpower and provide J&K’s youth with enhanced avenues for employment, entrepreneurship and economic advancement. CNI NEWS