Chandigarh, September 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Government has stepped up efforts to transform Government Polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into industry-aligned, innovation-driven and employment-oriented institutions, with Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains setting a target of making the state No. 1 in technical education.
The Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training (PSBTEIT) organised a Regional Industry-Academia Conclave on Thursday, bringing together industrialists, employers and technical education institutions to bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace requirements.
Addressing the conclave, Bains said Punjab had moved from 27th to third position nationally in technical education and that the government was working to reach the top spot. He said ITIs and polytechnics were being transformed into “engines of employment” through modern infrastructure, industry exposure and practical training.
“For decades, our higher and technical education system has been a factory of unemployment, producing degree-holders who can recite theory but cannot hold a tool,” Bains said, stressing the need to bridge the gap between certificates and employable skills.
He said a full-semester internship had been made compulsory for diploma students, while more than 40 hours of annual faculty training had been mandated. Polytechnics are also being upgraded through Centres of Excellence, modern machinery and Innovation Labs.
Five state-of-the-art Innovation Labs at Government Polytechnics in Khunimajra, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Badbar and Talwara were inaugurated on Thursday. Equipped with 3D printers and modern machinery, the labs are aimed at providing students hands-on experience in prototyping and real-world problem-solving.
Bains said the reforms were part of the broader Punjab Sikhya Kranti initiative and called for sustained industry participation in curriculum design, internships, placements, live projects, expert-led learning and faculty development.
He said principals and senior officials were being trained at IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Amritsar, while faculty development programmes were being conducted at IIT Ropar, IISER and NIFT. Industry immersion with organisations such as Tata Steel was also being promoted.
Additional Chief Secretary, Technical Education and Industrial Training, Vikas Pratap said Punjab’s technical education system was moving beyond conventional models. He said the five new Innovation Labs would help students train on emerging technologies.
“This conclave is not a one-time dialogue but the start of a continuous partnership. Every suggestion will be acted upon,” Pratap said.
PSBTEIT Chairman Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Kansal said the conclave focused on internships, placements, curriculum inputs, laboratory upgradation and expert-led learning. He said discussions also covered emerging skills, modernisation of workshops and structured industry participation in student and faculty development.
Representatives from Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company, Hartek Power, Tynor Orthotics, Gilard Electronics, Tata Electronics, Cheema Boilers, Hella India Lighting, Akzo Nobel/JSW Dulux and other organisations participated.
Member, Punjab Development Commission Anurag Kundu, Director Technical Education Moneesh Kumar, Director (Academics), PSBTEIT, Dr Bharat Naresh Bansal, and other senior officials also attended.
FOLLOW NOW
