Karnataka to unify skilling efforts with ₹5,000 crore investment
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced a plan to train 30 lakh people through a single integrated system over seven years.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Wednesday a plan to consolidate the state's various skilling initiatives into one unified system. According to The Hindu, the government intends to invest approximately ₹5,000 crore to provide training to 30 lakh beneficiaries during the next seven years.
Speaking at the Bengaluru Skill Summit, Shivakumar said the goal is to create an integrated framework for the state's skilling efforts. He also revealed that a new State Vision Group for skill development has been formed, with Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi serving as the chair.
The Vision Group will manage specialised training in technical sectors such as digital services, green energy, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. This move comes as the state aims to prepare for 3.5 lakh upcoming jobs and the expansion of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Bengaluru.
Shivakumar noted that traditional degrees are no longer the main benchmark for corporate hiring, suggesting that practical skills are becoming more important. He added that the initiative seeks to use the state's demographic dividend, as 65 per cent of the population is under age 35.
During the summit, the Chief Minister also launched Udyoga Setu, an AI-powered digital employment platform. Operated by the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC) and the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, the portal connects job seekers with private-sector employers.
The summit included the signing of more than 40 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) involving local Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Officials stated these agreements would immediately provide over 10,000 jobs for regional youth under the Koushalya Karnataka Yojane framework.