A job market without skills is like a phone without a signal—it doesn’t connect.
Across Gujarat, this reality is clear. Degrees are valuable, but they no longer guarantee jobs. What matters is practical skill—coding, welding, designing, or repairing electric vehicles.
From coding boot camps to skill-upgradation centers in tribal areas, Gujarat is building an ecosystem that equips the youth with practical and employable skills. From AI labs and electric vehicle training to embroidery classes, skill learning here is not one-size-fits-all—it’s demand-driven.
This blog explores the rise of Gujarat’s skill-based centres, how they operate, who they empower, and why they matter now more than ever.
Why Skills Matter in Today’s Gujarat
India’s youth unemployment rate remains above 10%. The mismatch between academic education and real job skills is clear. Gujarat has recognized this gap and made skills a state priority.
Gujarat seems to be addressing this problem by allocating skills development as a state concern. Focusing on sectors like semiconductors, construction, logistics, and renewables, Gujarat is preparing its youth to be job-ready in the clean energy and digital economy.
An important milestone was reached in 2024 when the government set up 20 sector-specific skill councils aimed at integrating industry-oriented skills in ITIs and vocational centres
It’s not about big speeches. It’s about building real talent that matches real jobs.
Government-backed Skill Institutions Making an Impact
Kaushalya – The Skill University (Ahmedabad)
Gujarat launched Kaushalya in 2021 as India’s first dedicated skill university.
It has partnerships with industries and offers courses underpinning the National Skills Qualification Framework(NSQF).
One of the key partnerships was with Nokia and TSSC, who set up a 5G lab for technician training at the university in preparation for India’s digital future. They also run drone training centres in Surat and Bilimora, preparing youth for agriculture, surveillance, and logistics needs.
TeamLease Skills University (Vadodara)
Established in 2013, TeamLease was India’s first vocational university. It blends classroom learning with 70% hands-on work experience. Students intern in telecom, retail, BFSI, and logistics. It directly links training to employment.
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
Gujarat has 558 ITIs training over 2.16 lakh youth every year across 132 trades. With 85% seat utilization, these institutes remain a strong pillar for industrial talent, especially in rural and tribal areas (ISR 2025 Report – Scribd).
State-Supported Skilling Centres Across Gujarat
Skill Upgradation Centres (SUCs)
These centres are set up in GIDC industrial zones. They offer short courses in CNC machining, welding, apparel making, mobile repair, and more. The government funds them fully to fill gaps in SME clusters (CED Gujarat).
Specialized Skill Centres
Set up inside large industrial estates, these offer trades like heavy vehicle driving, electrical maintenance, and industrial sewing. The state funds 50% of the setup costs to ensure rapid rollout.
Skill Development Plans (2025–26)
A new push aims to train 6,989 candidates through special programs in SUCs, bridge courses, and MSME-specific modules (CED Gujarat Training Plan).
Ed-Tech and Private Skilling Driving Innovation
Raja Rani Coaching (Surat)
One of India’s few fashion-focused ed-techs, they teach fashion design, embroidery, stitching, and business skills, especially for women. Their courses helped over 1.5 lakh learners enter creative industries.
Edutest Solutions (Sanand)
A vocational training startup teaching practical trades like refrigeration, electrical work, and welding. Partnered with Tata and Bosch, they also offer placements. 105 out of 159 trainees in a recent batch got hired.
Gujarat Career & Skill Centre (Vadodara)
Active since 2014, this centre trains youth in Tally, SAP, Excel, and Java. It targets college graduates and working professionals.
Edunet + Gujarat Knowledge Society – Skills4Future
This program trains youth in AI, EV repair, and green tech. Backed by Shell India, it works with ITIs and engineering colleges to add future-ready modules to current education. Over 10,000 students have already been trained.
Skill Development That Leads to Jobs
Results speak louder than policies:
- Kaushalya University has trained over 70,000+ candidates since its launch.
- ITIs place around 60% of their graduates in jobs or self-employment.
- Edutest helped rural candidates land jobs in industries they never had access to.
- Raja Rani Coaching took local learners to global fashion houses.
What’s Next for Gujarat’s Youth?
Gujarat’s model works—but must grow faster. Three things matter now:
- Skilling rural youth who remain disconnected.
- Training faculty in new tech like AI, drone repair, and semiconductors.
- Connecting skilling directly to placements through startup–industry–institute partnerships.
Conclusion
Gujarat is not waiting for talent to arrive—it’s building it. From government institutes like Kaushalya to ed-tech startups like Edutest, the state is ensuring its youth don’t just chase jobs—they build skills to earn them.
This shift is practical. Programs are tailored for Gujarat’s growing industry needs, such as EV technicians, fashion creators, coders, data analysts, and electricians. Enhanced employment outcomes and access to industry recognized credentials have built confidence among the youth and provide a clearly defined pathway.
Whether it’s a girl learning coding in Rajkot or a welder from Dahod getting hired by Tata, skill centres are building futures. Degrees may still matter, but skills decide the paycheque.
It’s time for every young Gujarati to find a skill and shape their career, not wait for one to arrive. Stay tuned with Gujpreneur for more!
