The lack of skilled workers continues to pose a challenge despite various initiatives in the direction of vocational education and training. In order to ensure effective curriculum reform initiatives and innovative programs at ITIs, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has constituted the Strategic Advisory and Reforms Task Force for Holistic ITI Transformation called "Sarathi". The first meeting of the body was organized on Friday.

Ministers from several states participated in the meeting along with Mr. Jayant Chaudhary, who is the Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge). The aim was to improve the entire system of vocational training by working with the states. The meeting was held in Vigyan Bhawan and highlighted the fact that "Sarathi" was established as an apex-level task force under the Craftsman Training Scheme.

Its objective is to foster dialogue among stakeholders and support outcome-based policy discussions to improve industrial training institutes across the country. During the meeting, members discussed a wide range of topics to improve the quality, scale, and capacity of the ITI ecosystem to meet the needs of the new workforce and industries.

Emphasis was also placed on strengthening institutional performance and quality assurance, promoting excellence and learner engagement, and improving assessment processes. Members suggested increasing women's participation in vocational education and expanding access through innovative and creative models. Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary stated that our skill reforms should provide better opportunities to every youth.

Sarathi aims to integrate all ongoing efforts in this direction, foster shared learning, and help scale successful models across India. The meeting was attended by Minister of Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore from Rajasthan, Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal from Uttar Pradesh, Minister Kunwarjibhai Bavaliya from Gujarat, senior officials of the concerned states, experts, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development Debashree Mukherjee and other senior officials.