Gandhinagar, August 13: The Gujarat government is set to make a significant leap in skill development. With a focus on creating a ‘developed and self-reliant Gujarat,’ the state aims to provide industry-oriented training to one lakh youths during the fiscal year 2026-27. Preparations have been completed at all levels to achieve this goal.
One of the key components of the recently launched ‘Namo Gujarat Skill and Employment Mission’ (NGKRM) is the ‘Gujarat Institutes for Advanced Skills’ (GIAS), which aims to connect a large number of industrial units and educational institutions for providing industry-focused training.
Over 250 industries and educational institutions have expressed interest in participating in this ambitious skilling program. Notable participants include L&T, New Education Foundation, ArcelorMittal Group, International Automobile Centre of Excellence – Maruti Suzuki, Tata Indian Institute of Skills, Bonanza LLP, E-Khodiyar Solutions Private Limited, and Ganpat University.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the importance of skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling to prepare a skilled workforce. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Gujarat government will provide skill training to over one lakh youths across the state.
Labour, Skill Development and Employment Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya stated, “The mission aims to create a demand-driven and industry-led ecosystem for advanced skill development and job creation across the state. GIAS will serve as the primary training medium, offering short-term and long-term vocational courses aligned with National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) levels 1 to 8.”
State Minister for Labour, Skill Development and Employment Kantilal Amritiya added, “This mission focuses on developing future-ready skills in 20 priority sectors, including construction, healthcare, IT-ITeS, electronics, tourism, logistics, aerospace, food processing, and media, as well as in 12 innovative technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, electric vehicles, blockchain, cybersecurity, semiconductor manufacturing, data science, and drone technology.”
The training programs will be offered through residential, non-residential, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and other mission-approved models. Beneficiaries will include individuals aged 14 to 59, women, workers registered on e-Shram and e-Nirman portals, existing industrial workers seeking up-skilling or re-skilling, economically weaker sections, marginalized communities, and unemployed individuals looking for skill-based employment.
To ensure quality and transparency, training providers must establish technology-enabled training centers equipped with geo-fenced, face-recognition-based biometric attendance systems, CCTV surveillance with 90 days of video storage, broadband connectivity, certified trainers, and infrastructure meeting industry standards. All training activities, attendance records, assessments, certifications, and placement tracking will be managed through the digital platform of the ‘Namo Gujarat Skill and Employment Mission’ (NGKRM).
The government has also introduced a performance-based payment framework, where training providers will be compensated based on the registration, certification, and placement outcomes of trainees. Additionally, trainees who successfully receive their certificates will receive direct financial assistance of ₹500 for every 120 hours of training through direct benefit transfer (DBT) to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
The empanelment process will remain open throughout the fiscal year 2026-27, allowing eligible institutions to apply online at any time. Selected partners will be included in the panel for three years, extendable for two more years based on performance.
In line with the vision of ‘Developed Gujarat @ 2047,’ the Gujarat government has launched the comprehensive flagship initiative ‘Namo Gujarat Skill and Employment Mission’ (NGKRM) 2026, aimed at transforming the state’s skill development and employment ecosystem. This mission consolidates various existing skill development schemes under a single framework to enhance efficiency, quality, and employment outcomes.
A key feature of this mission is the establishment of the ‘Gujarat Institutes for Advanced Skills’ (GIAS), which will provide integrated and industry-driven training frameworks offering short-term skill courses from NSQF levels 1 to 8. The program aims to train one lakh candidates during 2026-27, with plans to scale up to five lakh trainees annually.
This mission will focus on youth, women, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, persons with disabilities, informal sector workers, artisans, migrants, and other marginalized groups. Training will be provided free of charge, and eligible trainees will receive financial assistance through DBT.
To ensure transparency and accountability, NGKRM will implement an integrated digital platform with Aadhaar-seeded records, real-time monitoring, and a mandatory face-recognition-based attendance system at all training centers. Officials have stated that the mission aims to strengthen Gujarat’s position as a hub for skilled talent and job creation while developing an industry-integrated workforce that meets global standards.
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