Mumbai ; Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched Maharashtra’s ambitious Short-Term Employability Programme (STEP) — a transformative initiative designed to train 75,000 youth in its first year in emerging technologies, women-focused skills, and self-employment opportunities.
Implemented by the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, STEP aims to bridge the gap between education and industry by equipping young people with job-ready and entrepreneurial skills aligned with the evolving demands of the global economy.
Decentralised Skill Training Across the State
Under the programme, 2,506 training units will be established across 419 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 141 government technical schools. The initiative follows a decentralised model, empowering local institutional management committees to design and manage courses based on regional employment trends and public demand.
In its first phase, STEP aims to train 75,000 students, with the target expanding to one lakh in the second year. Local committees will oversee planning, execution, and quality control, ensuring transparency and accountability at the grassroots level.
Focus on Emerging Technologies and Women’s Training
STEP will introduce 2,500 new training batches, including 364 exclusive batches for women and 408 batches focusing on emerging technologies such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Electric Vehicles (EVs)
- Solar Energy
- Additive Manufacturing
The programme is designed to make Maharashtra’s youth self-reliant, promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment generation — particularly among rural youth and women.
Course Offerings and Admissions
Eligible candidates include students from ITIs, as well as those pursuing 10th, 12th, diploma, or degree courses. Training will cover diverse sectors such as drone technology, cybersecurity, green hydrogen, mobile repair, social media influencing, and more.
- Admissions are conducted online through admission.dvet.gov.in , with course fees ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month. About 25% of seats will be reserved for existing institute trainees, while the rest will be open to external applicants.
Special Regional and Cultural Initiatives
Dedicated training centres in Gadchiroli, Latur, Nagpur, and Amravati will cater to local industry requirements. A unique ‘Vedic Sanskar Junior Assistant’ course will also be launched ahead of the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik, blending traditional knowledge with employability skills.
The official launch will be held simultaneously at 600 locations across Maharashtra, with participation from Vishwakarma artisans, local artists, and traditional trade experts, who will be honoured as chief guests to promote respect for indigenous crafts and skills.
Empowering Maharashtra’s Workforce
Speaking at the launch, Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha emphasized that STEP will strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a leader in skill-based education and industry-oriented training.
By bridging the gap between education and employability, the STEP programme represents a major stride in building a skilled, confident, and future-ready workforce, driving the state’s progress toward inclusive and sustainable growth.
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