Gandhinagar : More than 250 industries, academic institutions and training organisations have shown interest in partnering with the Gujarat government to provide advanced skill training to youth under the newly launched Namo Gujarat Kaushalya and Rozgar Mission (NGKRM). The initiative is being led by the Directorate of Skill Development, Government of Gujarat, through the Gujarat Institutes for Advanced Skills (GIAS). The programme aims to build an industry-led skill development ecosystem and train 1.03 lakh candidates during 2026-27, with plans to eventually increase the capacity to five lakh trainees annually.
250+ Organisations Respond to Government's EOI
The Gujarat government had invited an Expression of Interest (EOI) from industries, academic institutions and training providers to become training partners under GIAS. More than 250 organisations have submitted proposals to participate in the programme. The participating organisations include L&T, International Automobile Centre of Excellence (IACE), Tata Indian Institute of Skills and Ganpat University, among others. IACE is a skill development institute established as a joint venture between the Gujarat government and Maruti Suzuki India Limited. According to the state government, the programme has been designed to make skill training more closely aligned with industry requirements and employment opportunities.
Training to Cover 20 Priority Sectors
The mission will focus on developing skills across 20 priority sectors, including construction, healthcare, IT-ITeS, electronics, tourism, logistics, aerospace, food processing and media. Along with these sectors, the programme will also provide training in 12 emerging technology areas. These include Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Electric Vehicles, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Data Science and Drone Technology. GIAS will offer short-term vocational courses aligned with National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Levels 1 to 8, allowing candidates to undertake training at different qualification levels.
Free Training and Financial Assistance for Eligible Candidates
A major feature of the programme is that the training will be provided free of cost to eligible beneficiaries. Trainees will also receive ₹7,500 for every 120 hours of training through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts after successfully completing certification requirements. The mission is intended to benefit a wide range of groups, including youth, women, SC/ST communities, persons with disabilities, informal workers, artisans, migrants and other disadvantaged sections.
Digital Monitoring to Track Training and Placements
The Gujarat government has introduced several technology-based measures to improve transparency and monitor training outcomes. Empanelled training partners will be required to establish technology-enabled centres with facilities such as face-recognition-based biometric attendance, geo-fencing, CCTV surveillance with 90-day video storage, broadband connectivity, certified trainers and industry-standard infrastructure. Training, attendance, assessments, certifications and placement information will be managed through the NGKRM digital platform. The government has also introduced a performance-linked payment system for training providers. Their payments will depend on outcomes such as trainee enrolment, certification and placement.
Training Partners Can Apply Throughout 2026-27
The empanelment process will remain open on a rolling basis throughout the financial year 2026-27, allowing eligible organisations to submit applications during the year. Selected training partners will initially be empanelled for three years, with a possible extension of two additional years depending on their performance. Through NGKRM and GIAS, the Gujarat government aims to create a skilled workforce that meets changing industry requirements while expanding employment opportunities for young people across the state.
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