**Executive Summary**
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Vadhvan Port Project Ltd. (VPPL) and the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), Government of Maharashtra, was signed to boost skill development and vocational training in the Vadhvan region. The MoU focuses on conducting short-term skill courses at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under the PM-SETU scheme. Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the progress on February 7, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **MoU Overview:**
* Signed between VPPL and DVET, Maharashtra.
* Aims to enhance skill development in the Vadhvan region.
* **Training Programs:**
* Short-term skill courses at ITIs under the PM-SETU scheme.
* Free training for youth from 44 villages in the Vadhvan region to enhance employability.
* Four-week Custom Documentation course (100 hours) includes classroom training, practical training, and internships.
* GP Rating Pre-Sea Training Course (six-month residential course) in collaboration with SCI-MTI, with VPPL covering the full course fee.
* **Kaushalya Nirmiti Yojana:**
* Implemented by Gateway Terminals India.
* Fully residential training for youth from the Vadhvan region.
* Trains candidates as Container Terminal Associates.
* Six-month fully funded training followed by a one-year apprenticeship with a stipend.
* **Course Accessibility:**
* VPPL introduced a chatbot for registration and real-time information on courses.
* Over 45,878 registrations recorded to date, with over 6,000 students undergoing training across 28 courses.
* A designated training partner engaged for implementation.
* **Fisheries Initiatives:**
* Targeted skilling initiatives for the fishing community in collaboration with specialized institutions.
* Includes open sea cage training and fish processing and value addition programs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Youth from 44 selected villages in the Vadhvan region
* **Impact**
* Enhanced employability through free training and skill development programs.
* Opportunity to become a locally skilled workforce aligned with port-led development.
* **Action Required**
* Register for available courses through the VPPL chatbot or other means.
* Actively participate in training programs and internships.
* Successfully complete courses and exams to obtain certifications.
**Stakeholder:** Fishing Community in Vadhvan Region
* **Impact**
* Opportunity to gain new skills in open sea cage training and fish processing/value addition programs.
* Potential for increased income and sustainable livelihoods.
* **Action Required**
* Participate in field surveys to provide feedback on training needs.
* Enroll in and actively participate in targeted skilling initiatives.
**Stakeholder:** VPPL
* **Impact**
* Contributes to India's maritime growth and the vision of a skilled, self-reliant India.
* Opportunity to support local youth and create employment opportunities in the port-led development agenda.
* **Action Required**
* Continue supporting the Vadhvan Port Skilling Program to equip local youth with relevant skills.
* Continue targeted skilling initiatives for the fishing community based on feedback.
Key Entities Referenced
Vadhvan Port Project Ltd. (VPPL): Private company involved in the Vadhvan Port project and associated skill development initiatives.
Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), Maharashtra: Government of Maharashtra body partnering with VPPL on skill development in the Vadhvan region.
Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIS (PM-SETU) scheme: Scheme under which short-term skill courses are conducted at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
Vadhvan region: Geographic area where the skill development initiatives are focused due to the port project.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
MoU Signed Between Vadhvan Port Project Ltd.
and DVET, Maharashtra to Expand Skill
Development in Vadhvan Region
Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal interacts with
trainees and reviews ongoing skilling initiatives
Posted On: 07 FEB 2026 8:18PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, February 07, 2026
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways,
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, between Vadhvan Port Project Ltd. (VPPL) and the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training
(DVET), Government of Maharashtra, to strengthen skill development and vocational training in the Vadhvan region.
The MoU provides for the conduct of short-term skill courses at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under the Pradhan Mantri
Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme. Under this collaboration, youth from 44
selected villages in the Vadhvan region will receive training free of cost, with the objective of enhancing employability and
creating a locally skilled workforce aligned with port-led development.
On the occasion, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the progress of the Vadhvan Port Skilling Program and interacted with
participating students. Certificates were awarded to students of the second batch who successfully completed a four-week
Custom Documentation course comprising 100 hours of classroom and practical training. The course focuses on customs
processes, documentation, and procedures essential for port operations. Internship opportunities have also been extended to
students from the first batch following successful completion of their training.
Further, confirmation letters were presented to 11 students enrolled in the GP Rating Pre-Sea Training Course conducted in
collaboration with the Shipping Corporation of India–Maritime Training Institute (SCI-MTI). The six-month residential course
is approved by the Directorate General of Shipping. The full course fee of ₹2.5 lakh per candidate is being borne by VPPL. On
successful completion and qualifying the Exit Examination conducted by the Board of Examination for Seafarers Trust (BEST),
candidates will be issued certification by BEST.
In another development, a Letter of Award was handed over to Gateway Terminals India for implementation of the Kaushalya
Nirmiti Yojana Skill Development Program. The initiative provides fully residential training for youth from the Vadhvan region
at a newly developed training centre at Sheva under Jawaharlal Nehru Port. The programme trains candidates as Container
Terminal Associates in areas such as health, safety, security and environment, operations, and engineering. The six-month
training is fully funded, followed by a one-year apprenticeship during which trainees are entitled to a stipend.
To facilitate outreach and access, VPPL has introduced a dedicated chatbot to support registration and provide real-time
information on courses. The programme has recorded over 45,878 registrations to date. Currently, 162 batches comprising over
6,000 students are undergoing training across 28 courses. A designated training partner has been engaged for implementation.
VPPL has also undertaken targeted skilling initiatives for the fishing community in collaboration with specialised institutions,
including open sea cage training and fish processing and value addition programmes. Based on feedback from field surveys, such
courses will continue to be conducted for fishermen in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said that skill development remains central to India’s maritime growth and
to the vision of a skilled and self-reliant India. He stated that initiatives such as the Vadhvan Port Skilling Program aim to equip
local youth with relevant skills and create employment opportunities, while supporting the broader port-led development
agenda.
***Jaydevi Pujari Swami/Yash Rane/Parshuram Kor
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