Punjab targets No. 1 in Technical Education as Govt, Industry join hands to build skilled workforce
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 3, 2026: Punjab has set its sights on becoming the country's No. 1 state in technical education, with the Bhagwant Mann government stepping up efforts to align Government Polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with industry needs and emerging technologies.
The Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training (PSBTEIT) on Thursday organised a Regional Industry-Academia Conclave, bringing together industrialists, employers and academic stakeholders to strengthen collaboration between technical institutions and the industry.
Addressing the conclave, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said Punjab had improved its position in technical education from 27th to 3rd in the country, and the government's next target was to secure the top position.
“Our goal is to make Punjab number 1 in Technical Education and no student should leave our institutions empty-handed,” Bains said.
From Classrooms to Factory Floors
Bains said the government was working to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and employable skills by transforming ITIs and polytechnics into employment-oriented institutions.
He said students would increasingly receive hands-on training on modern machines and technologies used in the workplace, while greater industry participation in curriculum design would help keep courses relevant to changing job requirements.
“When you invest in Punjab's technical education, you are not just building your business, you are building the future of India,” Bains said, adding that the success of Make in India would depend on skilled workers and professionals.
The Minister said the reforms were part of the Punjab Sikhya Kranti initiative aimed at creating modern learning ecosystems across schools, polytechnics and ITIs.
A full-semester internship has been made compulsory for diploma students, while faculty members are required to undergo more than 40 hours of annual training.
Five Innovation Labs Inaugurated
As part of the technical education transformation, state-of-the-art Innovation Labs were inaugurated at five Government Polytechnics in Khunimajra, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Badbar and Talwara.
The industry-grade facilities are equipped with modern machinery and 3D printers and are intended to give students hands-on experience in prototyping, innovation and real-world problem-solving.
Bains said the new facilities would help transform polytechnics into innovation hubs and prepare students for the demands of Punjab's industrial economy.
He added that polytechnics were also being upgraded through Centres of Excellence and modern machinery, while principals and senior officials were receiving training at institutions including IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Amritsar.
Faculty development programmes are also being conducted at IIT Ropar, IISER and NIFT, while industry immersion programmes, including those with organisations such as Tata Steel, are being promoted.
Industry Partnership to Drive Technical Education Reforms
Additional Chief Secretary, Technical Education and Industrial Training, Vikas Pratap, said Punjab's technical education system was moving beyond conventional models and adopting technologies relevant to future workplaces.
“Punjab's technical education is no longer playing catch-up, it is leapfrogging into the future,” he said.
Pratap stressed that the conclave was not intended as a one-time consultation but marked the beginning of a continuous partnership between educational institutions and industry.
He said suggestions emerging from the discussions would be acted upon and that the government would continue consulting industry on curriculum, training and institutional upgrades.
Focus on Internships, Placements and Industry-Ready Skills
Chairman, PSBTEIT, Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kansal, said the Board was committed to making technical education more practical and closely aligned with industry requirements.
The conclave focused on strengthening internship and placement opportunities, identifying emerging skills, updating curricula, upgrading laboratories and workshops, and involving industry experts in student learning and faculty development.
Kansal said the objective was to turn the discussions into actionable and long-term partnerships between industry and technical institutions.
Representatives from manufacturing, automotive and auto components, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, electronics, IT, steel and engineering sectors participated in the conclave.
Among the participating organisations were Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited, Hartek Power, Tynor Orthotics Private Limited, Gilard Electronics Private Limited, Tata Electronics, Cheema Boilers, Hella India Lighting and Akzo Nobel/JSW Dulux, among others.
Member, Punjab Development Commission Anurag Kundu, Director Technical Education Moneesh Kumar, Director (Academics), PSBTEIT Dr. Bharat Naresh Bansal, and senior officials from various state government departments also attended the event.