Industrial Training Institutes have been core elements of India’s Vocational Education for decades. The demographic dividend – whereby 50% of the population is less than 25 years of age and 65% is less than 35 – creates an immediate need for skilling the young population so as to capitalize on the economic benefits of this demographic change. The National Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE), Five Year Project (2017-2022) has been developed by the MSDE, GoI with World Bank’s Assistance for strengthening ITIs and the vocational training provided by them. Implemented through State Governments, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Centrally Funded Institutes (CFIs), and Industry Clusters (ICs).

Improving the quality, and relevance of long-term vocational training by incentivizing critical institutional reforms and apprenticeship systems and making the youth industry ready is the key focus. The scheme is characterized by a ‘Program for Results’ incentive-based approach, with built-in features of flexibility in the use of funds, encouraging capacity development, and emphasis on output and outcome monitoring.

It is in alignment with the Government of India’s commitment to providing quality skilling opportunities for economically disadvantaged /
underserved communities and developing a globally competitive workforce. Therefore a study has been commissioned for GRAAM by Karnataka Evaluation Authority to understand the extent to which and how the STRIVE program is bringing about a change in the professional journey and employment status of beneficiaries.