To address the growing need for skilled manpower in the maritime transport and port management sectors, the Maharashtra government will launch specialized training courses through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) starting this August. The initiative was announced following a joint meeting between Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane.
Minister Lodha emphasized that the Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Department will fully support efforts to supply skilled manpower to the maritime sector. He confirmed that training for key maritime-related courses will commence in ITIs from August.
The meeting, held at Vidhan Bhavan, was organized to plan workforce development for upcoming port authorities such as Vadhavan Port. Attendees included Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Secretary N. Ramaswamy, Fisheries Commissioner Kishore Tawde, Directorate of Vocational Education and Training Director Madhavi Sardeshmukh, and Palghar District Collector Indumati Jakhad.
Minister Lodha stated, “ITIs are the backbone of India’s skill development system, equipping youth with employable skills. The Maharashtra government aims to transform ITIs into world-class training centers under a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model. This effort aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, the Skill India Mission, the Maharashtra ITI Modernization Policy 2025, and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane highlighted the urgent requirement for skilled manpower at JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust), Vadhavan Port, and other maritime authorities.
“If the government collaboratively creates skilled manpower and generates employment, it will certainly boost the state's development while assisting various departments,” he said.
He also stressed the need to expedite the rollout of these training courses to meet future workforce demands in the port and logistics sectors.
