Bhubaneswar: World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Banga is scheduled to visit the Odisha capital on January 29 as part of his two-day tour of India. The visit is focused on strengthening job creation and skilling initiatives aimed at preparing India’s youth for private-sector employment.
During his visit, Banga will tour the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar, where he will interact with students undergoing technical and vocational training. He is also slated to meet media representatives and respond to questions on the World Bank Group’s jobs agenda, according to reports.
The key objective of Banga’s visit is to highlight efforts to equip young people with job-ready skills and to support private-sector-led employment growth. The World Bank Group is expected to announce a new strategic partnership with India during the visit.
An official noted that India is entering a decisive decade for employment, with nearly 12 million young people joining the labour force every year. Achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat, the official said, will depend significantly on the creation of productive jobs driven by the private sector at scale.
The CTTC plays a crucial role in this ecosystem by working closely with industries to provide market-relevant technical skills to youth while supporting small and medium enterprises. The centre is regarded as a scalable model for aligning skill development with private-sector demand.
Officials added that the CTTC’s approach has helped shape a new skilling and employment programme supported by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The initiative aims to modernise Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) through stronger private-sector participation, with a special emphasis on expanding opportunities for women.
