Patna: Bihar is set to get its first National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) for Women, with the foundation stone for a permanent campus laid in Bihta on Thursday. According to the government, the institute will train up to 500 women simultaneously in job-oriented trades and is expected to strengthen the state’s skill development ecosystem.
The foundation stone for the institute, to be built in the Sikandarpur Industrial Area of Patna district, was laid through video conferencing by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
Bihar’s First NSTI for Women
According to officials, the institute will be the first National Skill Training Institute exclusively for women in Bihar to be established by the Government of India.
The permanent campus will be developed on around four acres of land in the first phase, with officials targeting completion within two years.
The institute will have the capacity to train around 500 women at a time in a range of technical and vocational trades aligned with industry requirements.
Focus on Employment-Oriented Skills
Government officials said training programmes offered at the institute will be conducted under both Central and Bihar government skill development schemes.
According to the state government, the objective is to equip women with practical, employment-oriented skills while improving access to vocational education within Bihar.
Officials added that the institute is expected to reduce the need for women to travel outside the state for specialised skill training.
Linking Training With Employment
The government said the institute will also focus on connecting trained candidates with employment opportunities after completing their courses.
According to officials, efforts will be made to establish industry linkages so that trainees can access jobs suited to their skills.
The government said the initiative forms part of its broader strategy to promote women’s participation in the workforce and encourage economic self-reliance.
Support for Bihta’s Growing Industrial Hub
The institute is being established at a time when industrial activity in Bihta is expanding, with several manufacturing and industrial projects underway in the region.
Officials said the availability of a trained local workforce is expected to benefit industries operating in the area while creating new employment opportunities for women from Patna and neighbouring districts.
According to experts cited by the government, aligning training programmes with industry demand could help address skill gaps and improve employability among local youth.
Project to Be Monitored Over the Next Two Years
Senior officials from the Centre and the Bihar government, including Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and Industries Minister Arun Shankar Prasad, attended the virtual event.
Although the programme was initially planned at the Sikandarpur Industrial Area, it was held through video conferencing due to developments in Patna.
Construction of the campus is expected to begin following the completion of project formalities, with the government aiming to make the institute operational within the next two years.
