Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, inaugurated the renovated National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Sion, Mumbai on August 23, 2024. The event also saw the participation of Maharashtra’s Minister for Skills, Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Innovation, Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
During the inauguration, Shri Jayant Chaudhary expressed his satisfaction with the revamped 60-year-old institution. He highlighted the partnership with Tata and the ongoing development of the Indian Institute of Skills on the same campus. Shri Chaudhary emphasized that skilling must become aspirational in India. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to this cause, as articulated from the Red Fort. He encouraged students to consider vocational courses and ITI programs as viable alternatives to traditional degrees. The Minister also discussed how the National Credit Framework supports a blend of academic and practical skills by allowing 50% academic credits alongside credits from internships and apprenticeships.
Maharashtra houses over 1,000 ITIs, constituting nearly 66% of the country’s total. Shri Chaudhary emphasized the need for these institutions to upgrade their infrastructure and align their instructor training with industry demands. He urged all stakeholders to rise to the challenge of transforming these institutions to meet global standards.
Shri Chaudhary stressed that industries play a crucial role in Maharashtra, which is the financial capital of the country. He acknowledged the contribution of industry partners who invest in the sector through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and provide apprenticeships. The Minister urged industries to focus on workforce development to remain competitive globally. He concluded by expressing optimism that collective efforts would help India achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between NSTI and key institutions, including Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Directorate of Vocational Education & Training (DVET), and others. These collaborations aim to bolster skill-based education and enhance NSTI Mumbai’s capacity to deliver specialized training programs.
The Minister also inaugurated renovated workshops, including the Motor Mechanic Vehicle and Welder sections. The upgrades were part of the institute’s broader infrastructure enhancement, supported by World Bank funding under the STRIVE Project.
NSTI Mumbai: A Legacy of Skill Development
For over 60 years, NSTI Mumbai has been a leading institution in skill development under the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. The institute offers training across 10 Craftsmen Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) trades, 3 Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) trades, and a Diploma in IT, Networking, and Cloud Computing in collaboration with IBM. Popular trades such as Electrician, Fitter, Turner, and Welding attract approximately 600 trainees annually. The institute also offers short-term courses designed to meet industry needs, ranging from one to four weeks.
NSTI Mumbai remains committed to advancing skill-based education and playing a key role in shaping a highly skilled workforce for the nation.
MoUs Exchanged at the Event
- Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL): Short-term training and tailor-made programs for approximately 1,000 employees.
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): Skill testing for recruitment of 3,730 Category II trainees across 13 trades.
- Informatics E-Tech (India) Ltd., Thane with NSTI for Women: Placement, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training for around 100 trainees in COPA, Computer Software, and Advanced Diploma in IT.
- Technocraft, Amravati with NSTI for Women: Placement, apprenticeship, and training in dressmaking under CTS and CITS.
- Directorate of Vocational Education & Training (DVET), Pune: Upskilling of 1,000 faculty members through short-term training. NSTI Mumbai continues to lead by example in the skill development landscape, striving to meet the evolving demands of the industry and contributing to India’s growth.
