DGT Partners with Medhavi Skills University for ITI Training

Medhavi Skills University (MSU), Sikkim, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (RDSDE), Assam, under the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), to implement vocational training programmes through the Flexi-MoU scheme.

According to the university's announcement, the collaboration is intended to strengthen industry-oriented training at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) by bringing employers' workforce requirements into course design and practical instruction. MSU also states that it is the only university in India with an active MoU under the scheme.

DGT-MSU Partnership to Promote Industry-Based Skill Development

The Flexi-MoU framework allows training to be tailored to the requirements of participating industries. Under the proposed model, MSU will work with industry partners to identify skill gaps, develop customised curricula and combine classroom learning with hands-on instruction and on-the-job training (OJT).

The programmes will follow a Learn and Earn approach, with monthly stipends intended to support trainees during their training. Candidates who successfully complete the applicable training and certification requirements will receive the National Trade Certificate (e-NTC) issued by DGT, according to the announcement.

Manufacturing trades will be the initial focus, with the possibility of introducing training in additional sectors depending on industry demand.

MoU Signed by MSU and RDSDE Assam Officials

The agreement was signed by Rohan Ramrao Patil, deputy director at RDSDE Assam under DGT, and Kuldip Sarma, co-founder and pro-chancellor of Medhavi Skills University. Pravesh Dudani, founder and chancellor of MSU, was present at the signing ceremony.

Patil said the Flexi-MoU framework can encourage greater industry participation in vocational education by helping training providers respond to changing workforce requirements. He highlighted the potential of such collaborations to improve practical learning and make skill development more relevant to employers.

Dudani said closer coordination between education providers and industry can help young people gain practical experience, workplace-relevant skills and recognised qualifications.

Sarma emphasised the role of skill universities in connecting higher education with industry requirements. He said the collaboration supports the broader objective of creating employment opportunities through skills-focused education and the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

MSU Builds on Existing Industry-Linked Training Initiatives

Medhavi Skills University said its engagement with DGT dates back to 2022, with hundreds of trainees benefiting from industry-linked programmes. Its collaborations with companies, including RSB Transmissions, reflect an approach that integrates vocational learning with workplace experience.

The new agreement is intended to strengthen this model by bringing government training frameworks, academic institutions and industry partners together. The approach seeks to improve workforce readiness and help trainees acquire skills that correspond to employers' operational needs.

Flexi-MoU Scheme and India's ITI Modernisation Drive

The partnership comes amid government efforts to strengthen vocational education and upgrade ITI infrastructure across India. One of the major initiatives in this area is the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme.

The government's announced PM-SETU initiative has an outlay of ₹60,000 crore and aims to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs over five years. The programme is designed to modernise training infrastructure and strengthen links between vocational institutions and industry.

By connecting training with practical workplace requirements, the MSU-DGT collaboration seeks to contribute to the wider skills-development agenda. Its proposed industry-linked approach could help young people build job-ready capabilities, improve employability and support the development of a skilled workforce.

The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on implementation, industry participation, training quality and the employment opportunities available to successful trainees.