The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) will convene the first meeting of the Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation (SARTHI) on June 12 at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s vocational training ecosystem.The meeting will be chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education. Senior representatives from the Centre, States, industry, regulatory bodies and the skilling ecosystem are expected to participate in discussions on the future of vocational education and training in the country.
Established as an apex advisory mechanism under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), SARTHI aims to create a structured platform for policy convergence, strategic dialogue and coordinated action. The initiative seeks to strengthen Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and align vocational training with evolving industry requirements and future workforce needs.CTS currently operates through a network of 13,888 ITIs, including 3,326 government and 10,562 private institutes, offering training in 169 NSQF-compliant trades. During the inaugural meeting, members will discuss reforms related to curriculum, assessment, governance, quality assurance, instructor development, women’s participation, industry linkages and the National ITI Grading Framework.
In Guwahati, stakeholders in Assam and the Northeast are expected to closely follow the outcomes of SARTHI, as stronger ITI reforms could help bridge regional skill gaps, improve employability and create a workforce better suited to the growing needs of sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics and services in the region. MSDE said SARTHI will serve as a long-term institutional mechanism to promote Centre-State coordination, industry participation and informed policymaking for a future-ready, inclusive and outcome-oriented vocational training system.
