New training initiative launched to prepare youth for green jobs

New training initiative launched to prepare youth for green jobs

The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has partnered with Shell India to launch a Green Skills and Electric Vehicle (EV) training programme. The initiative, implemented by Edunet Foundation, Shell’s training partner, will be conducted across selected Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

The initiative is part of the Centre’s broader efforts to align skill development with India’s transition to a low-carbon future. It is aimed at preparing students and trainers for emerging opportunities in green energy and e-mobility sectors.

According to the MSDE, the programme will be delivered in a phased, multi-tier model. Four NSTIs will host a 240-hour advanced EV Technician course covering EV systems, diagnostics, and battery technologies. In parallel, 12 ITIs equipped with Shell-supported laboratories will offer a 90-hour job-oriented EV skills course. An additional 50-hour foundational green skills module is being introduced in ITIs without physical labs to build basic awareness around sustainability.

All modules have been jointly developed by DGT, Shell India, and Edunet Foundation, and are aligned with industry requirements. More than 250 trainers will also undergo upskilling under a dedicated Training of Trainers (ToT) component. On completion, participants will receive certification jointly issued by Shell and DGT, and receive structured placement support.

A key feature of the programme is the establishment of specialised EV skill labs within selected institutes, aimed at delivering hands-on training and practical exposure to industry standards.

“This collaboration with Shell India reflects the government’s deeper commitment to aligning skilling with sustainability,” said Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE and Minister of State for Education. “Green energy, electric mobility, and the broader climate transition are not just environmental imperatives—they represent a generational opportunity for India to lead through innovation, talent, and enterprise.”

Speaking on the partnership, Trishaljit Sethi, Director General of Training at MSDE, said the programme is a step towards bringing “cutting-edge training infrastructure and industry-relevant curriculum” to vocational training centres. “By integrating EV technologies into our ITIs and NSTIs, we are equipping students with hands-on experience aligned with real-world demand,” she said.

Mansi Madan Tripathy, Chairperson, Shell Group of Companies in India and Senior Vice President, Shell Lubricants, Asia-Pacific, said the programme was part of Shell’s commitment to building a low-carbon future. “Through our collaboration with DGT and Edunet Foundation, we are providing students with practical and future-ready expertise in green energy and electric mobility,” she said.

The launch comes as India intensifies its push towards net-zero emissions. Government schemes such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME), alongside state-level EV policies in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, are driving demand for a skilled green workforce.

The programme is expected to strengthen employability in green mobility sectors while ensuring alignment with national skill development frameworks.