Mehsana: India’s largest skill training institute, developed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), was inaugurated on Thursday in Vadnagar, the hometown of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the Gujarat government, the Industrial Construction Skills Training Institute (ICSTI) has been established by L&T in partnership with the state government and features world-class training infrastructure designed to equip youth with industry-relevant skills.

The institute has already completed training for two pilot batches consisting of 201 students. Of these, 113 trainees accepted stipend-based job opportunities on L&T’s major infrastructure projects. They are currently deployed at key projects including the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train corridor, Ahmedabad Metro Rail, Panipat Refinery, and the Khambhalia solar power plant, among others.

Spread across a 9.3-acre campus, the institute features practical training setups that replicate real industrial worksites, enabling trainees to gain hands-on exposure in an industry-simulated environment.

One of the trainees, Vadnagar resident and commerce graduate Ronak Kadiya, came to know about the centre two months ago and joined a formwork carpentry course. Following completion of his training, he secured a stipend-based assignment at the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train project.

“The practical training at the institute greatly benefited me. I am now working at the Bullet Train project site and have also encouraged my friends to join because it offers both skill development and employment opportunities,” Kadiya said.

ICSTI-Vadnagar offers structured courses in construction, manufacturing and smart world trades. Based on industry requirements and skill demands, programmes are conducted for durations of 45, 60 or 90 days. The institute currently offers more than 20 trades, the highest among all L&T-operated skill centres across the country.

Niranjan Mishra, Head of L&T ICSTI-Vadnagar, said the institute’s training structure follows standards set by the UK’s Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), with curricula designed according to global best practices.

He said trainees are categorised into Level-2, Level-3 or Level-4 depending on their trade-specific skills. Upon completing training, candidates are placed at L&T’s construction and hydrocarbon project sites for a combined period of 33 months under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS).

Mishra added that candidates who successfully complete two years under NAPS become eligible for Front Line Supervisor (FLS) positions and can also receive opportunities for international placements.

The institute aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Skill India Mission, aimed at enhancing employability and encouraging entrepreneurship through industry-oriented training. The Gujarat government under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has also been actively promoting skill development through industry collaborations across the state.

Training is offered in more than 20 trades including formwork carpentry, scaffolding, welding, HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, fire fighting, solar transmission tower erection, IoT, CCTV and several other specialised sectors.

No fees are charged from trainees and L&T provides free accommodation and food facilities. Separate residential facilities for men and women, dining areas, sports grounds, yoga and meditation halls, healthcare facilities, gymnasiums and recreation spaces have also been established on the campus.

Officials said trainees receive practical exposure through workshops, open yards and ready-to-build factories featuring concrete and steel elements, while L&T’s role as both training provider and industry partner also ensures employment opportunities.

The institute was constructed within six months after L&T signed an MoU with the Gujarat government through its CSR arm on March 10, 2025. It became operational on September 17, 2025, with its first batch of 201 students — a date that also marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday.

Candidates between 18 and 35 years of age are eligible to apply. Educational qualifications vary by trade, with Class 5 pass candidates eligible for civil trades, while technical programmes require ITI qualifications. DeshGujarat