Chandigarh: Haryana’s vocational training ecosystem is set for a major upgrade with the approval of a ₹320 crore Strategic Investment Plan for the Kurukshetra ITI Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme.
The National Steering Committee of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has approved the investment, with Jindal Naveen Avsar Limited set to partner with the Haryana government as the Anchor Industry Partner.
The move will bring seven government ITIs under an integrated Hub-and-Spoke model, with the focus on modern infrastructure, industry-aligned courses and stronger employment pathways for trainees.
Seven Government ITIs to Get Industry-Led Upgrade
The Kurukshetra ITI cluster will have Government ITI, Kurukshetra as its Hub ITI, supported by six Spoke ITIs.
The participating institutes are:
- Government ITI (Women), Kurukshetra
- Government ITI, Kaithal
- Government ITI (Women), Kaithal
- Government ITI, Pehowa
- Government ITI, Pabnawa
- Government ITI (Women), Ambala City
Dussehra Gift for Indian Exporters? India-New Zealand FTA to Bring 100% Duty-Free Access From October 20The ₹320 crore investment will support the development of an integrated skilling ecosystem across these institutions.
The planned interventions include upgrading infrastructure and training facilities, modernising laboratories and equipment, introducing industry-aligned courses and improving employability outcomes for students.
Industry Partnership to Link Training With Jobs
A key feature of the Kurukshetra ITI cluster will be the direct involvement of industry in shaping vocational training.
As the Anchor Industry Partner, Jindal Naveen Avsar Limited will work with the Haryana government and participating ITIs to strengthen practical training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.
Industry partners under PM-SETU can contribute to areas such as curriculum development, infrastructure enhancement, training delivery, faculty engagement, apprenticeships, industry exposure and placement support.
This approach aims to make ITI training more closely connected with the skills that employers actually require.
Jayant Chaudhary Highlights Employment Focus
Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary said bringing industry closer to ITIs would create stronger employment pathways for young people.
He said the Kurukshetra cluster reflects the government’s focus on making skill development more relevant and responsive to changing industry requirements.
The industry partnership is also expected to give students greater exposure to workplaces and practical learning, helping bridge the gap between classroom-based vocational training and employment.
PM-SETU Investment Crosses ₹2,491 Crore
With the approval of the Kurukshetra cluster, the cumulative investment sanctioned under PM-SETU has reached ₹2,491 crore across 10 ITI clusters.
The scheme aims to transform government ITIs into modern, industry-led and future-ready institutions that can respond to changing workforce requirements.
Jindal Naveen Avsar Limited is already associated with the Barbil ITI Cluster in Odisha, where a ₹240 crore Strategic Investment Plan has been approved under PM-SETU.
Its involvement in both clusters reflects the role of industry partnerships in the government’s ITI transformation model.
PM-SETU Targets 1,000 Government ITIs
PM-SETU is designed to upgrade the quality and relevance of vocational education through modern infrastructure, upgraded laboratories and equipment, industry-linked curricula and courses in emerging sectors.
The scheme has a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore and aims to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs through a Hub-and-Spoke model. This includes 200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs across the country.
The scheme also provides for capacity augmentation of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), including sector-specific National Centres of Excellence and stronger training-of-trainers programmes.
A Stronger Skill-to-Employment Pipeline
The Kurukshetra ITI cluster is expected to strengthen the connection between vocational education, industry exposure and employment in Haryana.
By combining modern training infrastructure with industry participation, the initiative aims to give young people access to skills that match evolving workforce requirements.
The larger PM-SETU programme also represents an effort to make government ITIs more responsive to emerging technologies and changing labour market needs, creating a stronger foundation for India’s future skilling ecosystem.
