India, Aug. 7 -- In a major boost for the upgradation of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state, the skill education department has received expressions of interest from around 25 companies and non-profit organisations under its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Big industry names like Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota, Chitale Bandhu, JSW and the Baramati Industrial Development Association are among those willing to adopt ITIs to improve their training standards.

Employment and skill development minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said that ITIs had been bereft of the necessary upgrades for years. "Through PPP and skill-based courses, we want to make these institutes more job-oriented and bring back their former reputation," he sa...