Odisha advances skill development and technical education reforms

The Odisha government is implementing several reforms to modernize its skill development ecosystem. During the ‘Kaushal Manthan’ conference in Kolkata, Minister for Industry, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain outlined plans to modernize Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), expand World Skill Centres, and establish industry-linked Centres of Excellence. A key focus of these reforms is creating international employment pathways and ensuring training leads to tangible job opportunities.

In the Koraput district, the state is expanding technical education infrastructure by laying the foundation for two new hostels at the Government Polytechnic campus in Jaypur Ambaguda. The projects, estimated at ₹9.17 crore for a boys’ hostel and ₹6.65 crore for a girls’ hostel, aim to provide residential facilities for students.

Additionally, the state has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Sky Skill Academy Private Limited and Tech Communication Computer Academy Private Limited. These partnerships will provide specialized training in electric vehicle (EV) technology, battery technology, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and Industry 4.0 to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industrial requirements.