Govt Mandates 150 Hours OJT for ITI Trainees

• DGT mandates 150 hours of on-the-job training or project work for ITI trainees
• Eligibility begins after three months of training, with industry mentor evaluation
• The move aims to boost practical skills and improve employability

The Directorate General of Training (DGT) established by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has issued complete training requirements which demand Industrial Training Institute trainees to complete 150 hours of work-based training or group projects.

The 150 hours OJT ITI mandate marks a major Craftsmen Training Scheme update, reflecting the new ITI on-the-job training rule under the broader vocational training reform India framework, aligned with skill development policy priorities, progressive ITI curriculum changes, and a stronger push for industry-linked training.

An official statement read, “In alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, DGT has restructured CTS qualifications. The annual training duration has been reduced from 1,600 hours to 1,200 hours. In addition, a mandatory provision of 150 hours of OJT or Group Project has been introduced to ensure that trainees gain real industrial exposure”.

The vocational students will benefit from enhanced practical experiences, which the initiative will create through better industry connections. The ITI trainees have depended on campus workshop equipment as their primary training resource which has restricted their access to contemporary industrial machinery.

“This initiative will help trainees integrate smoothly into the workforce and adapt better to workplace environments. It will also ensure continuous assessment of their skills in real industrial settings so that their competencies develop in line with industry standards”, the statement added.

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The fast development of industrial processes requires workers to receive training because their knowledge becomes outdated with each new technological improvement. The new provision seeks to bridge this divide by embedding structured workplace exposure within the formal training framework.

Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary described the reform as a major step toward improving the relevance and quality of vocational education. He stated that modern industrial needs require both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to develop essential skills and professional demeanor in students.

The guidelines specify that trainees must finish three months of institutional training before they can start on-the-job training or project work. The training will take place under the guidance of industry mentors, who will monitor progress through ongoing evaluations.

The future data-driven grading systems will include the on-the-job training element as part of their evaluation process. The Dual System of Training program requires its trainees to complete project work because they obtain practical experience through their present industry exposure. The Craftsmen Training Scheme, which started in 1950, serves as India's main program for training skilled workers.