Chandigarh: In a move to align skill training with industry requirements, Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with State Institute of Automotive and Driving Skills (SIADS), Mahuana, and entered into a tripartite agreement involving Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology ( NIIFT ), industries and commerce department, Punjab, and Footwear Design and Development Institute ( FDDI ).




The agreement with SIADS focuses on training in automotive and driving trades, while the tripartite collaboration is aimed at developing skills for specialised roles in footwear and fashion manufacturing.




Punjab employment generation, skill development and training minister Aman Arora said the collaborations were intended to align training programmes with the requirements of high-growth sectors and equip young people with skills relevant to industry.




“By aligning our training programmes with the specific needs of high-growth sectors like automotive and footwear, we are not just creating job seekers but building a future-ready workforce. The integration of premier national institutes like FDDI and NIIFT with our state machinery ensures that our youth receive world-class training, directly translating into better career prospects and contributing to the industrial growth of Punjab,” he said.




Arora said the partnerships would draw on FDDI’s expertise in the footwear sector, NIIFT’s specialisation in apparel and fashion, and SIADS’ experience in automotive and driving skills.




The collaborations aim to strengthen institutional partnerships, promote industry-aligned training and improve employability. The proposed focus areas include National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-based programmes, placements, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship development.