Bhubaneswar: Around 30 percent of seats in Odisha’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) remain vacant for the academic year 2025-26, according to Skill Development & Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain. Out of a total capacity of 53,812 seats across 72 government and 395 private ITIs, only 37,175 students have enrolled so far, leaving over 16,600 seats unfilled.
In a written reply to a question by Simulia MLA Padma Lochan Panda in the state assembly on Friday, Minister Swain expressed concern over the low enrollment and highlighted steps being taken to enhance student participation.
The minister also outlined various industry-linked training programs being offered to students to improve employability. These include the Mini Tool Room (MTR) by CTTC, Bhubaneswar; Solar Technician, Electrician Installation, and Electrical Housing Automation courses by M/s Schneider Electric Ltd.; and the XR Lab on Advanced Virtual Welding by Skillveri.
Swain further said that the government is planning to set up AI labs in multiple ITIs and establish Centers of Excellence under PM-SETU and Utkarsh ITIs. These initiatives aim to provide advanced skill development and industry-standard training to better prepare students for employment opportunities.
