Parliament Question: Skill training and global employability

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3787 ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026 SKILL TRAINING AND GLOBAL EMPLOYABILITY 3787. DR. SIKANDER KUMAR: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) whether the Directorate General of Training has signed Flexi-MoU with Bajaj Auto Ltd. for advanced automotive manufacturing training and if so, the details thereof; (b) the steps taken to ensure that training in Mechatronics and Advanced Welding aligns with National Skills Qualification Framework to enhance global employability; (c) the measures taken to address infrastructural challenges in setting modern skilling centres in high- altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh; and (d) the steps taken to support women entrepreneurs through newly announced initiative to ensure market access for Himachal's traditional handicrafts and textile clusters? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a). The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), signed a Flexi-MoU with Bajaj Auto Limited on 06 March 2026 to deliver industry-aligned training at its manufacturing facilities, providing trainees with hands-on experience and exposure to industry technologies. Under this arrangement, training will be imparted in the trades of 1. Assembly Technician (Automotive), 2. Automotive Manufacturing Technician, 3. Automotive Paint Technician, 4. Technician–Plant Maintenance, and 5. Industrial Fitter at the company’s facilities in Pune (Akurdi and Chakan) and Waluj in Maharashtra, and Pantnagar in Uttarakhand. (b). The Ministry has taken comprehensive steps to align training in Mechatronics and Advanced Welding with the National Skills Qualification Framework and global industry standards. Trades have been modernized under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) and Crafts Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) with advanced technologies. These are supported by trained instructors and industry partnerships, including the Dual System of Training, for practical exposure. Standardized assessments, infrastructure upgradation, and integration with the National Credit Framework further ensure quality, mobility, and global relevance of skills. (c). The Directorate General of Training has provided relaxations in affiliation norms for establishment of ITIs in hilly regions including Himachal Pradesh, particularly regarding minimum trade requirements and land area to enable adaptation of local constraints. Institutes are being strengthened with modern facilities to meet regional training needs, and digital and blended learning is being promoted through platforms such as Bharat Skills. Further, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0) is a demand driven scheme, wherein training centres are accredited/ affiliated based on the proposals submitted by the Project Implement Agencies, after taking the skill gap into account. The scheme leverages existing infrastructure across government institutions to expand skill development delivery, with 180 training centres operational acrossdistricts of Himachal Pradesh under the Short Term Training (STT) component. District-wise details of Training centres engaged in Himachal Pradesh for skilling in STT component under PMKVY 4.0 is at Annexure-I. (d). National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), under the Ministry, is implementing two artisan clusters the ‘Kullu Handloom Cluster’ and the ‘Solan Pine Needle Cluster’ in Himachal Pradesh under the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). A total of 2,235 women in the Kullu Handloom Cluster and 525 women in the Solan Pine Needle Cluster are being covered. Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes (EAP) have been conducted, designers and Cluster Development Executives have been engaged, and value-added training has been provided to artisans in both clusters. Further, Common Facility Centres are proposed to be established, and a cooperative society of artisans has been formed in the Solan Pine Needle Cluster. These interventions aim to strengthen livelihoods by enhancing market access for women engaged in handicrafts and textile sectors.Annexure I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (C) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3787 ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026. District-wise details of Training centres in Himachal Pradesh for skilling under PMKVY 4.0 District NO. of training centres Bilaspur 12 Chamba 16 Hamirpur 24 Kangra 35 Kinnaur 3 Kullu 12 Lahaul And Spiti 2 Mandi 16 Shimla 17 Sirmaur 14 Solan 19 Una 10 Total 180 *****