Four Strategic MoUs Signed to Strengthen Odisha’s Skill Ecosystem, Upgrade 22 ITIs into Centres of Excellence

Bhubaneswar: Odisha took a major stride towards building an industry-aligned and future-ready skilling ecosystem with the exchange of four strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the World Skill Center here on Tuesday, in the presence of Industries and Skill Development & Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister underlined that making Odisha’s youth industry-ready is a central pillar of the Government’s development strategy. He said that while infrastructure drives industrial growth, it is skill development that builds the human capital required to sustain it. “Skill development is not merely a welfare intervention; it is a core economic strategy that will propel inclusive growth and global competitiveness. Equipping our youth with relevant, future-ready skills is essential to achieving Odisha’s long-term development goals,” he said.

The highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with Tata Technologies to upgrade 22 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the State into Centres of Excellence (CoEs) at a total project cost of ₹779 crore. Under the partnership, the Government of Odisha will contribute 14 per cent of the project cost, while Tata Technologies will bear around 86 per cent. The upgraded ITIs will be equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and industry-grade equipment to align training infrastructure with modern industrial standards.

The Centres of Excellence will focus on high-growth and emerging sectors, including automobile and electric vehicles, design and verification tools, 3D printing and additive manufacturing, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and advanced manufacturing, advanced CNC and VMC machining, advanced plumbing technology, and process control and automation. Tata Technologies will also provide comprehensive handholding support for five years, including deployment of trainers, equipment maintenance, and facilitation of placements to ensure strong industry linkage and sustainable outcomes.

Three additional MoUs were also exchanged on the occasion. A collaboration with UNICEF will utilise the YouthHub digital platform to enable placement of over 2,000 girls through digital skilling initiatives and an outcome-based funding model. Another partnership between the World Skill Center and Kawasaki Robotics India Pvt. Ltd. aims to strengthen training capacity in robotics, automation, and Industry 4.0 technologies, preparing youth for advanced manufacturing ecosystems.

The fourth MoU, signed between the World Skill Center and Atreya Global Pvt. Limited, seeks to create structured overseas employment pathways in Germany and other European countries by integrating skill training, language education, placement facilitation, and post-placement support.

The strategic collaborations are expected to significantly enhance Odisha’s skilling infrastructure, boost youth employability, and position the State as a leading hub for industry-oriented and globally competitive skill development.