Bhubaneswar: In a major push for global skilling and workforce readiness, World Bank Group President Shri Ajay Banga visited the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, January 29, 2026. This high-profile visit was a core component of his two-day tour of India, aimed at strengthening job creation initiatives and preparing the nation’s youth for private-sector employment.
Shri Banga was joined by a delegation of top officials, including Odisha Chief Secretary Shrimati Anu Garg, Principal Secretary of Finance Shri Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, and Secretary of Skill Development and Technical Education Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia. Their presence highlighted the strong partnership between the state government and international institutions in advancing technical education.
During the visit, CTTC General Manager Shri L Rajasekhar briefed Shri Banga on the diverse training programs and industrial services provided by the center. The Director explained how CTTC serves as a vital bridge between education and industry, specializing in tool engineering, CAD/CAM, and high-end manufacturing technologies. Shri Banga toured the facility and interacted with students, gaining first-hand insight into the practical training methods that make CTTC a model for technical vocational education.
Addressing the media at the venue, Shri Banga emphasized that India’s path to becoming a developed nation, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047 depends heavily on skilling its population. He noted that with 12 million young people entering the labor force annually, institutions like CTTC are essential for equipping them with job-ready skills. He also highlighted five key sectors for job creation: infrastructure, agriculture, primary healthcare, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.
The World Bank President also shared his views on global trade, suggesting that India should focus less on tariff concerns and more on the opportunities presented by trade agreements, citing the recent India-EU Free Trade Agreement as a positive example. He praised the scalability of the CTTC model and indicated that such successful frameworks would inform the upcoming World Bank Group-India strategic partnership.
The visit concluded with Shri Banga reaffirming the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Odisha’s development through technical assistance and financial cooperation, ensuring that the state remains a leader in the national skilling ecosystem.