PM Modi launches short-term employability programme in Maharashtra to train youth in industry-ready skills

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, October 8, launched the Chief Minister’s Short Term Employability Programme (STEP) in Maharashtra, a new initiative designed to help young people develop job-ready skills through short, industry-focused training courses. The scheme, reported by IANS, will be implemented by the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation and is expected to train around 75,000 candidates this year, increasing to 1 lakh from next year.

Focus on local employability and self-reliance

The programme has been designed to equip young people with modern skills that match the needs of industries while also creating self-employment opportunities, especially for youth and women in rural areas. "Through this initiative, skill education is being decentralised and aligned with local demand and public interest," said Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Maharashtra's Minister for Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

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He said the STEP launch is being held at 600 locations across the state, where artisans from the Vishwakarma community, local artists and traditional craft experts have been invited as chief guests. This, Lodha added, is part of an effort to recognise traditional craftsmanship while preparing the next generation for modern industry.

Decentralised training structure

Under the scheme, 2,506 training units will be established across 419 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 141 government technical schools. Each district's institutional management committee will oversee course implementation to ensure local participation and accountability.

Lodha said the decentralised structure will help improve quality control and ensure that training programmes are tailored to the unique needs of local industries. "The main objective is to make the youth self-reliant and capable of meeting the changing demands of industries," he said.

Online admissions, affordable fees

The admission process for STEP is entirely online. Interested candidates can apply at https://admission.dvet.gov.in. The course fees will range between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000 per month, making them accessible to students from varied economic backgrounds. About 25 per cent of seats have been reserved for trainees within existing institutes, while the remaining will be open to external candidates. Students from ITIs and those pursuing 10th, 12th, diploma or degree courses are eligible to apply.

Training in emerging technologies

The courses under STEP will cover a wide range of modern and emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing, drone technology, electric vehicles, solar energy, cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), green hydrogen, mobile repair and social media influencing.

Special batches will also be organised for women candidates and for training in new-age sectors. "About 364 batches will be started for women and 408 for emerging industries," Lodha said, adding that new training centres will be set up in Gadchiroli, Latur, Nagpur and Amravati to address specific regional industry needs.

A special course titled Vedic Sanskar Junior Assistant will also be introduced ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Nashik to meet event-specific manpower requirements.