Karnataka to integrate skilling efforts into unified system, says CM
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced an estimated investment of ₹5,000 crore to train 30 lakh beneficiaries over seven years.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Wednesday a plan to integrate the state's fragmented skilling efforts into a single unified system. Speaking at the Bengaluru Skill Summit, Shivakumar said the government will invest an estimated ₹5,000 crore to train 30 lakh beneficiaries over the next seven years, according to The Hindu.
The Chief Minister also revealed the formation of a new State Vision Group for skill development. Chaired by Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi, the group will oversee specialised training programmes in sectors such as artificial intelligence, green energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital services.
The initiative aims to address the needs of a workforce where 65 per cent of the population is under the age of 35. Shivakumar noted that traditional degrees are no longer the primary benchmark for corporate recruitment, similar to international markets where practical capability is valued over formal certification.
During the summit, Shivakumar launched Udyoga Setu, an AI-powered digital employment platform. Operating under the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC) and the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, the portal connects job seekers with verified private-sector employers.
The summit also saw the signing of more than 40 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) involving local Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Officials claim these agreements will immediately secure over 10,000 jobs for regional youth under the Koushalya Karnataka Yojane framework.