Patna: The Bihar government on Friday inaugurated the “Industry Partnership Conference 2026”, organised by the Bihar Skill Development Mission under the Department of Youth, Employment and Skill Development.
The conference aims to strengthen coordination between industry groups and the state’s skill development institutions in line with changing market demands.
The event was inaugurated by Youth, Employment and Skill Development Minister Arun Shankar Prasad and department secretary Kaushal Kishore. Senior officials, including Directorate of Employment director Sunil Kumar, Bihar Skill Development Mission ACEO Hemant Kumar Singh and Mission Director Manish Shankar, attended the programme along with representatives from major industry groups.
Focus on linking skills with employment
Addressing the conference, minister Arun Shankar Prasad said the state government was working to ensure that skill training programmes directly translate into employment opportunities for young people.
He said the government’s objective was not limited to providing training but also to connect every skill with sustainable and dignified employment.
Prasad described skill development as a key driver of Bihar’s economic progress and said aligning training programmes with industry requirements could open new employment opportunities for lakhs of youth in the state.
PM SETU scheme to strengthen industry linkage
The minister said the Prime Minister SETU scheme was being implemented in Bihar to build stronger links between industries and skilled workers.
According to the government, the scheme is intended to create direct coordination between training institutions and employers while improving placement opportunities for trainees.
Prasad said Bihar plans to upgrade Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to meet national and international standards.
Rs. 3,615 crore proposal for ITI modernisation
Under the proposed hub-and-spoke model, 75 ITIs across Bihar will be modernised and aligned with industry needs.
The state government has planned the strengthening of ITIs through 15 industrial clusters at a proposed cost of RS. 3,615 crore. Officials said industries are expected to contribute around RS. 615 crore towards the initiative.
The minister said the programme aims to improve technical training infrastructure and increase employability among students.
Mega skill centres planned in nine divisions
The government also announced plans to establish mega skill centres in Bihar’s nine divisions.
According to officials, these centres will provide demand-based training, support preparation for overseas employment opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship development among youth.
The minister urged industries to participate as long-term partners in the state’s skill development efforts.
Government seeks greater industry participation
Speaking at the event, department secretary Kaushal Kishore said active collaboration between the government and industries was essential for strengthening Bihar’s skill development ecosystem.
He said the conference was organised to expand implementation of the PM SETU scheme across 75 institutions and connect more young people with employment-oriented training through the proposed mega skill centres.
Kishore added that the government aims to create a system in which Bihar’s youth are not only job seekers but also contributors to economic growth and innovation.
