The Directorate General of Training under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has signed an agreement with software firm Autodesk to support digital design training across vocational education institutes in India.
The partnership is aimed at training instructors and boosting technology adoption across National Skill Training Institutes and Industrial Training Institutes, the organisations said on Thursday.
The collaboration will focus on improving teaching capacity in areas linked to computer-aided design and digital manufacturing used in sectors such as construction, engineering and industrial production.
Autodesk will provide access to its software tools and learning content to faculty and students in more than 14,500 ITIs and 33 national training institutes.
The Ministry said the initiative is intended to prepare students for changes in industry practices as automation and artificial intelligence continue to influence technical roles.
It follows findings from Autodesk’s State of Design and Make Report 2025 which said more than half of surveyed organisations in India expect AI-related abilities to be a major hiring requirement.
Under the agreement, Autodesk will support the development of training programmes, curriculum and educator upskilling. The company will also extend use of its software to instructors and students at no additional cost as part of its global education access model.
Speaking during the signing, Autodesk President and CEO Andrew Anagnost said the company sees the partnership as a way to support the development of a skilled workforce.
He said digital tools are becoming central to work in design and manufacturing roles and that vocational institutes will play an important part in preparing talent.
Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said the collaboration is expected to help align training to current industry practices. Mukherjee said the initiative aims to reduce the gap between classroom learning and technical work environments.
The Directorate General of Training oversees national standards and instructor training for vocational education. Industrial Training Institutes operate under state administrations but follow policy and certification frameworks set at national level.
The system trains more than two million learners each year in trades ranging from welding and machining to electronics and computer systems.
Autodesk works with education institutions globally to provide access to its design and modelling software. The company also runs certification programmes and a network of authorised learning partners to support teacher training.
