Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the PM-SETU Industry Conclave organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow.
Addressing the conclave, Rajnath Singh emphasised that India’s expanding ambitions in defence manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, drones, robotics and advanced manufacturing will require a highly skilled and future-ready workforce capable of meeting the demands of emerging technologies.
He highlighted PM-SETU as a new model of collaboration between the Government, industry and training institutions, aimed at aligning skill development more closely with the requirements of the modern economy.
Under this approach, industry is expected to play a greater role in modernising Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), developing industry-relevant curricula, strengthening apprenticeship programmes and creating clear pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between classroom-based training and actual industry requirements by giving employers a more meaningful role in shaping the skills ecosystem.
The Defence Minister’s address also underlined the importance of developing domestic technical talent as India expands its capabilities in high-technology sectors and moves towards greater self-reliance in manufacturing.
The PM-SETU Industry Conclave therefore highlighted a crucial link between skill development and India’s industrial ambitions—ensuring that a skilled workforce grows alongside the country’s rapidly expanding defence and advanced manufacturing ecosyst