MoUs signed with knowledge and industry partners to ensure data security
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, April 27: The ‘MahaChatur AI Chatbot’, which will provide skill training, employment, entrepreneurship, and guidance to the youth of the state on a single platform, is a transformative initiative for Maharashtra. Developed under the initiative of the Department of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, this chatbot is the first-of-its-kind innovative initiative created by a state government in the country. This chatbot will make the journey from education to employment smoother for the youth and ensure immediate availability of skilled manpower to industries, stated Chief Minister Shri. Devendra Fadnavis.
The launch of the chatbot and signing of Memorandums of Understanding took place at Sahyadri Guest House under the Department of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Minister for Skill Development Shri. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma, State Innovation Society Commissioner Dr. Amit Saini, Director of Vocational Education and Training Satish Suryawanshi, Consul General of Japan Hitomi Sato, Consul General of Germany Christoph Helier, Consul General of Korea Yo Dongwon, Consul General of Finland Erik F. Holstrom, along with representatives from various industries, educational institutions, and international partners were present.
Chief Minister Shri. Devendra Fadnavis stated that 65 percent of India’s population is below the age of 35, and this demographic advantage presents a major opportunity for the country’s development. It is essential to bring this youth power into the economic mainstream through skill training, and both the Central and State Governments have prioritised skill development. In Maharashtra, the Department of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation is working effectively, focusing on preparing trained manpower as per industry needs. Industries require skilled manpower, and youth need employment. The ‘MahaChatur Chatbot’ will act as an effective bridge between the two. This AI-based chatbot will provide skill training, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship guidance, application processes, assessments, and market linkages as a one-stop solution.
He further stated that the chatbot will be especially useful in guiding employment-oriented youth. Since it is easily accessible through WhatsApp, it will benefit a large number of users. Initiatives such as Centres of Excellence, modernization of ITIs, increased participation of women in skill initiatives, and various partnerships will strengthen the skill sector. Maharashtra’s economy ranks among the top globally, and for achieving greater growth in the future, the role of the Skill Development Department is extremely important. “The name ‘MahaChatur’ is as impressive as the vision behind it. This initiative will provide new direction to Maharashtra in skill development, employment, and innovation,” he expressed.
We will strengthen Maharashtra by integrating the unorganized skill sector –Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
Minister Shri. Mangal Prabhat Lodhaji stated that efforts will be made to create a robust platform to integrate the unorganized skill sector in the state and further strengthen Maharashtra’s progress. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri.Devendra Fadnavisji, several innovative schemes and initiatives are being implemented in the skill sector. Thousands of institutions are working in the unorganized sector, and the department aims to bring them together to expand the skill development movement. While artificial intelligence may impact certain jobs in the future, it will also create a large number of new employment opportunities. The department is actively working to harness these opportunities and connect Maharashtra’s youth with the global job market.
He added that Maharashtra has skilled, sincere, and capable manpower, which is in demand globally. This will not only provide better employment opportunities to youth but also ensure quality manpower for industries. The department is working to strengthen the extensive network of ITIs, innovation centers, and various skill mechanisms in the state, and several new projects have been launched to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
*MahaChatur AI Chatbot for Apprenticeship; Registration Now in Just 15 Minutes!*
To bring innovation in the apprenticeship sector and save time for employment-oriented candidates, the Department has launched the ‘MahaChatur AI Chatbot’ (MahaChatur AI), a digital platform. The primary objective of this initiative is to eliminate technical difficulties faced by youth while availing benefits under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Maharashtra Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (MAPS). The AI-based language assistant for apprenticeship employment opportunities was inaugurated by Chief Minister Shri. Devendra Fadnavisji. Developed in partnership with the Right Walk Foundation, Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to implement such a project.
This facility will be available to youth through a simple WhatsApp interface. The registration process, which earlier took two to three days, will now be completed in just 15 minutes. The system is entirely based on government servers (Open Source AI), ensuring complete data security. Youth from rural and urban areas will be able to access all information from training to placement with a single click. This AI interface will enhance transparency and speed up grievance redressal. In the future, this facility will also be extended to other schemes such as ‘Chief Minister Youth Work Training’. MahaChatur AI will simplify the journey from education to employment and ensure immediate availability of skilled manpower to industries.
*MoUs Signed with Knowledge and Industry Partners*
In the presence of Chief Minister Shri.Devendra Fadnavisji, MoUs were signed with IPE Global Limited, National Skill Training Institute Mumbai, Shrimad Rajchandra Educational Trust, Sri Sri Rural Development Program Trust, and UN Women. These partnerships will focus on women’s skill training, data security, skill training for prisoners, youth skill initiatives, and creating employment opportunities across skill development, employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation sectors.
*Recognition of Outstanding Establishments, Industry Partners, and Employers*
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru; RightWalk Foundation; Bajaj Auto Ltd., Waluj; GATI Foundation Global Access to Talent Form India; Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.; TNS India Foundation; Lighthouse Communities; and Lend A Hand India were felicitated as outstanding establishments, industry partners, and employers.
*Felicitation of Six ITI Students Selected for Germany*
Six ITI students selected for apprenticeship in Germany were specially honored. Trainees Vinayak Ganesh Taware, Aditya Rajaram Jadhav, Ashish Ram Pasalkar, Atharva Santosh Lohangonkar from Industrial Training Institute Pune, and Advait Mahesh Patil and Satyam Anil Suryawanshi from Industrial Training Institute Mumbai were awarded overseas apprenticeship offer letters.
*Panel Discussion on Apprenticeship and AI*
In the second session, a discussion on ‘Industry Leadership Dialogue’ was held. Participants included SBI Foundation CEO Swapna Dhar, General Manager of Jabil Circuits India Pvt. Ltd. Pune Aakash Gaikwad, HR Head of Fox Solution Ltd. Nashik Pralhad Dhumal, Parag Amin of Atal Skill University, Amita Chavan-Patil from Tata Strive, and Manohan Koranga from Siemens Technical Academy. The session was moderated by the CEO of Generation India Foundation.
A panel discussion on ‘AI for Public Service Delivery’ was also organized, where experts from industry, technology, and public policy discussed new opportunities in youth skill development, industry needs, and AI-based service delivery. Participants included Senior Fellow CSIS Jayant Krishna, Rankin LLM AI founder Kartik Sharma, and Anand Gautam from One Step Foundation. The session was moderated by Sameena Bano.
*Youth and Industry Experience Sharing*
Trainee Veda Narkar from Government Women’s Industrial Training Institute, Dadar; trainee Vipul Vilas Panchal from Godrej & Boyce ITI Mulund; and HR Head Pralhad Dhumal from Fox Solution Pvt. Ltd., Nashik shared their experiences.
The program was introduced by Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Director of Vocational Education and Training Satish Suryawanshi.
