Schneider Electric Highlights Skilling and Innovation During Minister’s Avinya Visit

Schneider Electric, a firm specialising in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, welcomed Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for the Ministry of Education, to its flagship ‘Avinya’ campus in Bengaluru.

As per the firm's statement, the visit reinforced Schneider Electric’s continued commitment to advancing innovation, skilling, and entrepreneurship across India.

The Avinya campus, Schneider Electric’s largest innovation and development hub in India, showcased the company’s cutting-edge capabilities in technology and training during the Minister’s visit. It also served as a platform to highlight Schneider’s collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which has led to the establishment of four Indian Institutes of Future Skills in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karnataka.

These institutes focus on high-demand domains such as Industrial Automation, Building Management Systems, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies. Students receive hands-on training and industry-recognized certifications, preparing them for the rapidly evolving job landscape. The initiative promotes academia-industry collaboration, offering students internship opportunities, exposure to live projects, and real-time industry engagement. Faculty members are also supported through continuous upskilling, ensuring the delivery of cutting-edge education aligned with industry needs.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Jayant Chaudhary underscored the critical role of industry in building a skilled, future-ready workforce. “The role of industry in skill development is not just valuable, it is indispensable,” he said. “Schneider Electric exemplifies how public-private collaboration can equip our youth with the skills needed for tomorrow. Our partnership with Schneider is bridging the gap between skilling initiatives and industry demand.”

He also highlighted the recently announced National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, which encourages industry-led curriculum development, training infrastructure, and direct employment linkages. With a planned outlay of INR 60,000 crore, of which INR 10,000 crore will be contributed by industry partners, the scheme reflects the government’s push for shared responsibility in skilling. “India’s aspiration to become the skill capital of the world can only be realized through such collaborations,” the Minister added.

Deepak Sharma, Zone President, Greater India and MD and CEO of Schneider Electric India, expressed his enthusiasm following the Minister’s visit. “We were honoured to welcome Hon'ble Minister Mr. Jayant Chaudhary to our Avinya campus, which serves as a hub for innovation, research, and skills advancement. At Schneider Electric, we are deeply invested in building a skilled workforce and transforming India into a global talent hub. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Government of India to empower the next generation of professionals," said Sharma.

The firm claims to have trained more than 265,000 youth across Greater India through a network of over 570 training centres. The company’s skilling programs are designed not only to make participants employable but to align them with the future demands of the energy and automation sectors. Beyond this, its sustainability-focused outreach has impacted more than 100,000 school students through environmental education programs and has brought digital solar-powered learning to over 450 schools.

Schneider Electric’s commitment to rural development is evident in its support for solar-powered irrigation systems, which have benefited 20,000 farming families, significantly increasing their agricultural productivity and income. The company has also set up more than 70 technology labs across engineering, diploma, and ITI institutions to offer practical training in energy and automation. In addition, nine advanced labs have been developed in engineering colleges to foster research and innovation partnerships.