Guwahati: The Capital Goods & Strategic Skills Council (CGSSC) and Assam Skill University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to significantly enhance industry-aligned skill development for youth across Northeast India. The collaboration aims to cultivate future-ready talent and bridge the existing gap between academic training and industry demands in the region.
This partnership, formally inked on May 29, 2026, signals a concerted effort to empower young professionals with practical knowledge and competencies, thereby boosting employability in critical manufacturing and strategic sectors. Officials believe the initiative will play a crucial role in supporting the growth of India’s capital goods and strategic manufacturing ecosystem, particularly in the Northeast.
What was announced
The Memorandum of Understanding was officially signed by Shri Subhash Chandra Das, IAS (Retd.), the Vice Chancellor of Assam Skill University, and Ms. Shalini Singh, CEO of CGSSC. The signing ceremony, held on May 29, 2026, saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Mr. Rajeev Sharma, Director, Registrar, and Dean of Mechanical Engineering at Assam Skill University, along with faculty members and representatives from various university departments.
Under the terms of the MoU, CGSSC and Assam Skill University will align their skilling initiatives with the evolving requirements of the capital goods and strategic manufacturing sectors. The primary objective is to prepare young professionals for emerging opportunities and to expand access to quality skill development pathways for youth in the Northeast region.
Why it matters
The collaboration is particularly significant for Northeast India, a region that has historically faced challenges in skill development and youth unemployment. The partnership seeks to address the skill deficit by providing industry-relevant training, thereby enhancing the employability of the region’s youth. Assam Skill University, established with a vision to integrate skills education with higher education and foster applied research, aims to become a leading institution in empowering youth with industry-aligned education.
The capital goods sector, which includes plant, machinery, and equipment used across manufacturing and services, is a critical enabler of industrial growth and contributes approximately 1.9% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). A robust domestic capital goods industry is vital for reducing import dependence, enhancing supply chain resilience, and supporting higher-value-added manufacturing. India’s capital goods sector has seen significant momentum, with its output nearly doubling over the past decade to reach ₹4,29,001 crore in 2023–24. This partnership will help ensure a skilled workforce is available to meet the demands of this growing sector.
Background
Assam Skill University was established by The Assam Skill University Act, 2020, which was passed by the Assam Legislative Assembly on September 3, 2020, and received the Governor’s assent on October 12, 2020. The university, a ₹1,000 crore project, is being set up under an External Aid Project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and is expected to be fully functional by 2025. Its mission is to upskill 10,000 youth annually with multidisciplinary training. The university commenced its academic sessions for 2024-25 from its city campus in Guwahati, with the main campus at Mangaldai expected to be operational from the 2025-2026 academic session.
The Capital Goods & Strategic Skills Council (CGSSC) is an autonomous, industry-led, not-for-profit organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. It was promoted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Department of Heavy Industry (DHI), with support from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The CGSSC’s mandate includes identifying skill development needs, developing sector skill development plans, determining competency standards, and promoting academies of excellence to ensure the capital goods industry grows with skilled manpower.
Skill development has been a key focus for the Government of India, with the launch of the Skill India Mission in 2015, aiming to train over 400 million people in market-relevant skills. The mission includes various schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and emphasizes industry partnerships. Special initiatives have been implemented for the Northeast, acknowledging the region’s unique requirements and challenges in skill-based training.
The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), established in 2015, has been working under the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, Government of Assam, to build the capacity of unemployed youth and provide quality skill training for meaningful employment.
Key details
The collaboration between CGSSC and Assam Skill University will focus on developing curricula aligned with the latest industry trends, providing hands-on training, and offering practical experience to students. This approach aims to equip students with skills that directly meet the demands of the capital goods and strategic manufacturing sectors, thereby enhancing their employability.
Assam Skill University has already forged several industry collaborations, signing MoUs with leading players across various sectors. These partners include ABB India Limited, Philips Machine Tools India Private Limited, Schneider Electric India Private Limited, and Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., among others. These partnerships underscore the university’s commitment to an enterprise-institution cooperation model for close industry linkages.
The CGSSC has also been active in promoting skill development through various initiatives, including cluster-specific programmes, industry partnerships, and facilitating placements and apprenticeships. The council has also been involved in conducting regional and national skill competitions, such as IndiaSkills, to foster talent in the capital goods sector.
What’s next
The MoU is expected to lead to the development and implementation of joint industry-oriented training programmes and customized courses for industries and corporates. These programmes will be designed to be practical and employment-focused, ensuring that learners are equipped with relevant, future-focused skills. The ongoing efforts are aligned with the broader goal of making training programmes more practical, updated, and responsive to industry requirements, thereby creating better career opportunities for youth in Northeast India.