National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, in collaboration with the Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skills Park (SSRSGSP), Bhopal, Department of Technical Education, Skill Development and Employment, Government of Madhya Pradesh, organized a Capacity Building and Awareness Workshop for the Central Zone on 29th September 2025. The workshop brought together stakeholders from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to enhance awareness of NCVET’s initiatives for strengthening the Vocational Education and Training (VET) ecosystem.

The day-long programme focused on state-level skilling initiatives, the regulatory role of NCVET with a focus on standards and quality assurance, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, onboarding and functioning of Awarding Bodies and Assessment Agencies, convergence of skilling initiatives, and mainstreaming vocational education across schools and higher education institutions. The workshop commenced with welcoming of dignitaries through floral bouquets followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.

Key dignitaries present at the inaugural session included Dr. Vinita Aggarwal, Executive Member, NCVET; Dr. Neena Pahuja, Executive Member, NCVET; Shri Manish Singh, Principal Secretary, Department of Technical Education, Skill Development & Employment, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Dr. Solai Bharathidasan, Principal Secretary, Department of Skill Development & Employment, Government of Chhattisgarh; Shri Vijay Dayaram K. , CEO, Chhattisgarh State Skill Development Authority (CSSDA); Dr. Girish Sharma, CEO, SSR Global Skills Park, Bhopal and Shri Rishav Mandal, Director, Department of Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship, Government of Rajasthan.

Delivering the special address through video message, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, underlined that skill development is not just a government programme but a national imperative and a powerful catalyst for India’s future. He congratulated NCVET for organizing the series of zonal workshops and stressed that these gatherings serve as a valuable platform for existing as well as aspiring awarding bodies, higher education institutions, state boards, and skill development missions. Highlighting key reforms, the Minister spoke about the National Credit Framework as a landmark step towards lifelong learning, the integration of skills under NEP 2020, the introduction of new-age job roles through PMKVY 4.0, and the launch of the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative. He emphasized that India, as the “Skill Capital of the Future,” must ensure every young citizen is empowered with relevant, future-ready, and globally competitive skills to contribute meaningfully to the vision of Vikasit Bharat.

Speaking on the occasion, the Hon’ble State Minister of Skill Development and Employment (Independent Charge), Government of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Gautam Tetwal Ji, extended greetings to all participants and dignitaries, noting the strong participation from multiple states and institutions as a reflection of India’s  skilling ecosystem. He congratulated NCVET for leading the series of workshops and for establishing  benchmarks for Awarding Bodies and Assessment Agencies, aligning qualifications with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), and promoting blended learning, training of trainers (ToT), and training of assessors (ToA). He emphasized that the NSQF plays a crucial role in recognizing all forms of learning and integrating vocational education with general education in line with NEP 2020.

Dr. Tetwal highlighted that NCVET’s reforms are also reshaping employability, soft skills, and life skills for youth, thereby opening pathways for better careers in modern industries and technology-driven sectors. He underlined Madhya Pradesh’s proactive steps in skill development through initiatives such as the SSR Global Skills Park, the State Skill Development Mission, and diverse training programmes that prepare youth for jobs and entrepreneurship. Stressing that skill development is not merely a programme but a mission of empowerment, he called for a learner-centric ecosystem that expands opportunities, accelerates growth, and contributes meaningfully to the vision of a Vikasit Bharat.

In her address, Dr. Vinita Aggarwal, Executive Member, NCVET, underscored the Council’s pivotal role as the national regulator in safeguarding quality standards, fostering harmonization, and strengthening recognition frameworks across the vocational education and training ecosystem. She emphasized that ensuring skilling with the highest levels of credibility and relevance is central to driving meaningful and productive engagement in the workforce. Dr. Aggarwal further highlighted the imperative of structural reforms, greater convergence among stakeholders, and adoption of innovative skilling models to not only make vocational pathways aspirational but also to ensure their alignment with the evolving aspirations of learners and the dynamic demands of the future economy.

Dr. Neena Pahuja, Executive Member, NCVET, in her remarks, stressed the need for digital transformation, future skills are much more than technology and include traditional skills and  industry collaboration to strengthen the vocational education ecosystem. She underlined the significance of mainstreaming vocational training into general and higher education, while also highlighting the role of life skills, employability skills, AI, and continuous upskilling to empower youth for meaningful employment opportunities.

Following the inauguration, the workshop featured technical sessions and interactive discussions. Col. Vikram Singh Bhati, Director, NCVET, made a detailed presentation on NCVET’s regulatory role, processes, and quality frameworks. Shri Parveen Tyagi, Joint Director, MSDE, presented on the convergence of skilling initiatives, highlighting the need for better alignment between central and state-level programmes. Ms. Nidhi Satija, Director, MSDE, led a session on Common Cost Norms for the Skilling Ecosystem, explaining the rationale, scope, and uniform application of cost norms across schemes to ensure greater transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in resource utilization. Representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh shared state perspectives on skilling, including their initiatives, success stories, and challenges.

Another important session explored the integration of vocational education with general and higher education, in line with NEP 2020, through panel discussions with senior officials, industry leaders, and academic experts. Dedicated sessions on convergence and collaboration highlighted the integration of NCVET recognition processes, industry-led models, and academic credit frameworks to strengthen vocational pathways. Industry experts and training sector representatives also shared best practices and innovative skilling models, while discussing ways to bridge the gap between education and employability.

The workshop concluded with a summary of key takeaways, underscoring the collective responsibility of governments, regulators, industry, and academia in building a strong VET ecosystem. The deliberations reinforced the commitment of all stakeholders towards creating a future-ready workforce across the Central Zone, in alignment with India’s skilling vision.

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