Published on October 13, 2025
Delhi, India
Maharashtra is set to redefine vocational education by converting its network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into vibrant community learning centers, operational after regular hours. Announced by the State Skill Education Department, this initiative—flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 13, 2025—aims to make skill development accessible to all, transcending traditional boundaries. With 419 ITIs and 141 technical high schools as the backbone, the program targets training nearly 5 lakh people by year-end, starting with an initial batch of 75,000. Rooted in the state’s push for decentralized, inclusive skilling under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Atmanirbhar Bharat, it blends heritage crafts with cutting-edge tech, fostering entrepreneurship and livelihoods. This move addresses underutilized infrastructure while aligning with Maharashtra’s broader vision to skill over 100 million in its young workforce, positioning the state as a national model for community-driven education.
Background: Evolution of ITIs Amid Maharashtra’s Skill Push
Historically, ITIs in Maharashtra have focused on formal, job-oriented training, but challenges like outdated infrastructure, teacher shortages, and limited evening access have hindered broader impact. The 2024-25 academic year saw enrollment dips, prompting reforms. Building on earlier efforts—like the May 2025 PPP policy approval for upgrading 100 ITIs into global hubs and April 2025 MoUs for advanced labs in 20 institutions—this initiative marks a cultural shift.
- Preceding Reforms: In April 2025, MoUs with organizations like Deasra Foundation and SSRDPT upgraded electrical and solar labs, targeting 9,000+ youth annually from 2025-26, with expansions to 3,000 trainees in 20 centers by 2027.
- PPP Momentum: The Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) leads strategic partnerships, investing ₹10-20 crore per ITI for curriculum and infrastructure over 10-20 years, benefiting 2 lakh students with Industry 4.0 skills like AI and robotics.
- Policy Context: Aligned with Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s May 2025 call for AI-based courses and Microsoft MoUs for digital literacy centers, it counters a 15-20% skill gap in sectors like manufacturing and renewables.
- Launch Catalyst: PM Modi’s virtual flag-off emphasizes ‘Short-Term Employable Skill Courses,’ inviting Vishwakarma community artisans as guests to honor traditional expertise.
This evolution transforms ITIs from “assembly-line factories” to dynamic ecosystems, as per Skill Education Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
Key Changes: From Formal Training to Flexible Community Hubs
The core reform opens ITIs post-5 PM, decentralizing operations to empower local institutes. Courses, lasting 3-6 months, are community-curated, with no entry barriers—ideal for working adults, homemakers, and marginalized groups.
- Operational Shift: 2,506 training batches across 560+ institutions; local ITIs select courses, hire regional experts, and manage fees/logistics for sustainability.
- Curriculum Innovation: Practical focus on heritage (e.g., tamarind candy rolling) and modern skills (e.g., drone piloting for Nashik’s Kumbh Mela), embedded with universal modules: Personality Development, Entrepreneurship, Financial/Marketing Management, and Basic AI.
- Inclusivity Measures: Targets women, rural youth, differently-abled (via Project Mumbai MoUs), and retirees; flexible timings reduce dropout risks.
- Infrastructure Leverage: Uses existing labs (upgraded via PPPs) for zero-cost expansion, with branding regulated to prioritize education.
Comparison Table: Traditional ITIs vs. Community Learning Centers
| Aspect | Traditional ITIs | Community Learning Centers (2025+) |
|---|---|---|
| Access Hours | Daytime, formal students only | After-hours, open to all community members |
| Course Design | Centralized, job-specific trades | Decentralized, locally relevant (crafts to tech) |
| Target Group | Youth seeking diplomas | Diverse: artisans, homemakers, entrepreneurs |
| Integrated Skills | Technical only | + Entrepreneurship, AI, Financial Literacy |
| Scale | 1-2 lakh annual enrollees | 5 lakh by Dec 2025; potential 10 lakh in 2026 |
This model ensures 80% employability or self-employment rates, per department projections.
Benefits: Empowering Individuals and Local Economies
By democratizing skills, the initiative bridges urban-rural divides and revives cultural heritage amid globalization.
- Personal Empowerment: Equips learners for gig economies—e.g., weavers adding digital marketing or artisans launching AI-enhanced businesses—boosting incomes by 20-30% within a year.
- Economic Ripple: Stimulates MSMEs in sectors like tourism and renewables; aligns with Maharashtra’s 60% youth demographic for a ₹5 lakh crore GDP uplift via skilled labor.
- Social Inclusion: 40% slots for women/SC/ST groups; preserves 500+ traditional crafts while introducing Industry 4.0 tools, reducing underemployment from 25% to under 10%.
- Sustainability: Low-cost model (no new builds) with feedback loops for iteration; PPPs ensure industry linkages for placements.
Minister Lodha envisions: “ITIs as portals to livelihoods, where a graduate pilots drones and an artisan builds empires.”
Implementation Roadmap: Rollout, Monitoring, and Expansion
A phased, data-driven approach ensures seamless execution, with MITRA overseeing via digital dashboards.
- Phase 1 (Oct-Dec 2025): PM launch; train 75,000 in pilot batches; local events with artisan chief guests.
- Scaling Up: Reach 5 lakh by December via 2,506 batches; quarterly reviews for course tweaks.
- Support Mechanisms: Free AI/digital literacy via Microsoft centers; entrepreneurship incubators in 25 pilot ITIs.
- Monitoring: Outcome tracking (placement rates, business startups) with 2026 expansion to 10 lakh if 70% success threshold met.
- Challenges Addressed: Teacher training via Bengaluru programs; funding from CSR/philanthropy to cover 20% operational costs.
The department plans national replication, drawing from Telangana’s Tata Technologies model for 65 ITIs.
