Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Autodesk have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance ‘digital design and make’ skills among faculty and trainers in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India.
This collaboration reflects Autodesk’s continued commitment to supporting India’s Skill India Mission and advancing the use of digital design technology in education and vocational training. Autodesk offers free access to its design and make technologies for students and educators globally, along with comprehensive curricula, hands-on training, and learning resources. Additionally, Autodesk invests in certification programs that help students demonstrate their skills and gain a competitive edge in the job market. The global network of 1,600 Autodesk Learning Partners supports faculty development, ensuring that educators have the resources they need to teach the latest industry skills.
The objective of the MoU is to strengthen the digital capabilities of trainers and educators, enhance employability skills in students, and prepare India’s workforce for the evolving needs of industries, such as architecture, engineering, manufacturing and construction.
According to Autodesk’s State of Design and Make Report 2025, 52 per cent of Indian organisations surveyed say that AI-related skills will be their top hiring priority in the future. Over the next three years, this partnership will align skill development with rapid advancements in AI, industry innovation, and emerging career pathways by combining Autodesk’s global Design and Make expertise with DGT’s national leadership in vocational education.
Through this MoU with DGT, Autodesk will extend its professional-grade software to educators and students across more than 14,500 ITIs and 33 NSTIs, enabling instructors to skill a large number of youth while strengthening digital design and manufacturing capabilities across India’s vocational ecosystem.
Andrew Anagnost, president and CEO, Autodesk, shared, “Our partnership with DGT is about empowering educators and students with the advanced digital tools and industry-relevant learning they need to thrive in a rapidly-changing world. As AI transforms design and manufacturing, the demand for AI-ready talent is greater than ever. By strengthening India’s skill development in advanced ‘design and make’ technology, we’re helping build a workforce that’s ready for opportunities today and in the future.”
Debashree Mukherjee, IAS, secretary MSDE, Govt of India, believes, “This partnership with Autodesk will greatly enhance the capabilities of trainers across NSTIs and ITIs by integrating advanced design technologies into vocational education. Together, we aim to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry practices, enabling our trainers to deliver training that meets global quality benchmarks and supports India’s journey toward becoming a hub for skilled, technology-driven talent.”
The initiative will see the joint development of educational programmes, curriculum and learning activities, leveraging Autodesk’s technology.
