AM/NS India Secures First PM-SETU Approval for Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster in Andhra Pradesh

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has achieved a significant milestone by securing approval for the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme. The approval was granted by the National Steering Committee during its meeting convened by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in New Delhi.

The approval marks the first Strategic Investment Plan cleared under the PM-SETU programme and positions Andhra Pradesh as the first state in the country to operationalise an industry partnership under the scheme through the onboarding of an Anchor Industry Partner.

The Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster proposal is expected to serve as a model for future industry-led skill development initiatives across India. The project represents an important step in transforming government Industrial Training Institutes through stronger collaboration between industries and state governments.

The PM-SETU programme has been designed to modernise vocational training infrastructure and improve employability outcomes by aligning skill development programmes with industry requirements. Through the initiative, government ITIs will receive support to upgrade facilities, improve governance, and introduce industry-focused training modules.

The National Steering Committee meeting was attended by representatives from several central ministries, industry leaders, development partners, and state governments. Major industry participants included AM/NS India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, and ITC. International development institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank also participated in the discussions.

The PM-SETU scheme carries a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore and aims to transform 1,000 government ITIs across India through an industry-driven framework. The programme seeks to create a stronger workforce pipeline for high-growth sectors while supporting India’s manufacturing and industrial ambitions.

For Andhra Pradesh, the approval strengthens Visakhapatnam’s position as an emerging industrial and skill development hub. The project is expected to improve workforce readiness, enhance industry participation in vocational education, and create better employment opportunities for youth in the region.

As more states prepare to submit proposals under PM-SETU, the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster is likely to become a benchmark for future industry-academia partnerships in India’s skilling ecosystem.