DGT and Autodesk sign MoU; to benefit over 14,500 ITIs and 33 NSTIs; aims to build AI-ready workforce

Ziraat Times News Desk

New Delhi: In a major push toward integrating advanced design and digital manufacturing skills into India’s vocational training ecosystem, the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global design technology leader Autodesk.

The collaboration aims to enhance digital design, manufacturing, and AI-driven skillsets among trainers and educators across the country’s National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The initiative will help align India’s vocational education with emerging industry demands in architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and construction sectors.

The MoU was signed in the presence of MSDE Secretary Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, DGT Deputy Director General Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, and Autodesk’s global leadership, including President and CEO Andrew Anagnost, Executive Vice President Steve Blum, Vice President (APAC & Japan) Haresh Khoobchandani, and Vice President (India & SAARC) Kamolika Gupta Peres.

According to Autodesk’s State of Design and Make Report 2025, 52% of Indian organizations identify AI-related skills as their top hiring priority. In line with this, the partnership will focus on strengthening the AI and digital design capabilities of India’s vocational trainers over the next three years. Autodesk will extend access to its professional-grade design and make software to educators and students across more than 14,500 ITIs and 33 NSTIs, significantly enhancing India’s skill development infrastructure.

Speaking on the collaboration, MSDE Secretary Debashree Mukherjee said,

“This partnership with Autodesk will greatly enhance the capabilities of trainers across NSTIs and ITIs by integrating advanced design technologies into vocational education. Together, we aim to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry practices, enabling our trainers to deliver training that meets global quality benchmarks and supports India’s journey toward becoming a hub for skilled, technology-driven talent.”

Autodesk President and CEO Andrew Anagnost said the initiative aligns with India’s vision to emerge as a global leader in skilled talent.

“As AI transforms design and manufacturing, the demand for AI-ready talent is greater than ever. By strengthening India’s skill development in advanced design and make technology, we’re helping build a workforce ready for opportunities today and in the future,” he said.

Under the MoU, both DGT and Autodesk will collaborate to develop educational programs, curricula, and learning activities, leveraging Autodesk’s global technology expertise. The partnership will also include faculty training, certification programs, and digital resource access to help trainers and students acquire cutting-edge skills.

This initiative forms part of Autodesk’s ongoing support for the Skill India Mission, providing free access to its design and make technologies for students and educators worldwide. The company also runs certification programs to help learners demonstrate competencies in design and manufacturing, while its global network of 1,600 Autodesk Learning Partners supports faculty development.

The DGT, under the MSDE, is the apex body responsible for vocational training policy, standards, and coordination across India, overseeing 23 lakh trainees annually through ITIs and NSTIs. The body is actively modernizing vocational training with new-age trades such as AI, IoT, Mechatronics, Renewable Energy, 3D Printing, and Drone Technology.

The partnership with Autodesk is expected to bridge the gap between industrial innovation and workforce readiness, giving India’s vocational ecosystem a major boost in digital capability and employability.