The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has entered into a partnership with global software company Autodesk to enhance digital design and manufacturing skills across India’s vocational training ecosystem.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in New Delhi, aims to upskill trainers and educators at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) nationwide. It focuses on integrating advanced design technologies into vocational training to align with industry needs in fields such as architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and construction.
The MoU was exchanged in the presence of MSDE Secretary Debashree Mukherjee, DGT Deputy Director General Sunil Kumar Gupta, and senior Autodesk executives including Andrew Anagnost, President and CEO.
According to Autodesk’s State of Design and Make Report 2025, 52% of Indian organizations view AI-related skills as a key hiring priority. The three-year collaboration will address this skills gap by combining DGT’s national training network with Autodesk’s digital design expertise. The initiative will extend Autodesk’s professional-grade software and learning resources to more than 14,500 ITIs and 33 NSTIs across the country.
MSDE Secretary Debashree Mukherjee said the partnership would “bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry practices,” helping trainers deliver globally relevant, technology-driven instruction.
Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost said the company’s focus is on supporting India’s efforts to build a skilled workforce ready for the digital economy. “As AI transforms design and manufacturing, demand for AI-ready talent is greater than ever,” he noted.
The initiative will include the joint development of new training modules and curricula, with an emphasis on emerging technologies and applied learning. Officials said it represents a step toward modernizing India’s vocational education system and preparing the workforce for advanced manufacturing and design industries.
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