The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) held the PM-SETU Industry Conclave in Lucknow in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The event brought together government officials, industry leaders and skilling organisations to discuss how to strengthen Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and connect vocational training directly to employment opportunities.
What PM-SETU offers
PM-SETU is a scheme designed to create partnerships between government, industry and training institutions. Under the scheme, clusters comprising one main ITI and four supporting ITIs can receive investments of up to ₹241 crore. The funding comes from three sources: 50% from the Government of India, 33% from State Governments and 17% from Industry Partners.
A key feature is the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) structure that gives industry partners 51% ownership of cluster operations, while central and state governments each hold 24.5%. This arrangement ensures that industries have a significant say in how training institutions operate and what skills are taught.
Uttar Pradesh has identified 32 ITIs across 8 clusters so far, with seven clusters still open for industry collaboration. Nationwide, approved industry proposals under PM-SETU represent more than ₹1,500 crore in committed investment across seven clusters in five states.
Defence and manufacturing sectors are prioritising skills in aerospace, shipbuilding, electronics, precision engineering, welding, mechatronics and drone technology. An additional initiative, Shaurya Academy, was announced through an MoU between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Lucknow Cantonment Board to prepare youth for careers in the Armed Forces and Police.
What this means for you
If you are enrolled in an ITI or considering vocational training, PM-SETU means your courses will be designed with direct input from companies that actually hire. Industry partners will help decide what equipment and skills training should focus on, reducing the gap between classroom learning and job readiness. This makes it more likely that completing your ITI course will lead directly to employment with a partner organisation.