22 govt ITIs to be upgraded as Centres of Excellence in partnership with Tata Technologies

Bhubaneswar: Four strategic MoUs were exchanged today in the presence of Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister, Skill Development & Technical Education, at the World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar, marking a major step forward in the State’s efforts to transform its skilling ecosystem and align it closely with industry needs.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister underscored that making Odisha’s youth industry-ready remains a central priority of the Government.

He observed that while infrastructure builds industries, it is skills that build the human capital necessary to sustain and grow them.

“Skill Development is not a peripheral welfare measure; it is a core economic strategy that will drive inclusive growth and global competitiveness,” he said, adding that empowering youth with relevant and future-ready skills is essential to achieving the State’s long-term development goals.

A key highlight of the ceremony was the partnership with Tata Technologies to upgrade 22 Government ITIs across Odisha into Centres of Excellence (CoEs) at a total project cost of ₹779.00 crore.

As per the Memorandum of Agreement, the Government of Odisha will bear 14 percent of the project cost, while Tata Technologies will contribute approximately 86 percent. The upgraded ITIs will be equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and industry-grade equipment, bringing training infrastructure at par with modern industrial standards.

The Centres of Excellence will focus on high-growth and emerging sectors such as automobile including 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 technology.

Tata Technologies will also extend comprehensive handholding support for five years, including deployment of trainers, maintenance of equipment, and facilitation of placements to ensure strong industry linkage and sustainable outcomes.

On this occasion, three other MoUs were also exchanged. A collaboration with UNICEF will leverage the YouthHub platform to facilitate placement of over 2,000 girls through digital skilling and an outcome-based funding model.

A partnership between the World Skill Center and Kawasaki Robotics India Pvt. Ltd. aims to strengthen capacity in robotics, automation, and Industry 4.0 technologies, preparing youth for advanced manufacturing ecosystems.

Another MoU between the World Skill Center and Atreya Global Pvt. Limited will create structured overseas employment pathways in Germany and other European countries by integrating skilling, language training, placement facilitation, and post-placement support.

Among others present were Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education Department; Chakravarti Singh Rathore, Director, Technical Education & Training; Rashmi Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer, World Skill Center; Hiroshi Miyake, Managing Director, Kawasaki Robotics India Pvt. Ltd.; Prasanta Dash, Chief, Field Office, UNICEF Odisha; Pradipta Kumar Das, Chief Operating Officer, Atreya Global Pvt. Limited; and Shri. Yatendra Kumar, Head, Global Delivery, Tata Technologies.