Chandigarh, 10.09.2026:The 37th CII Regional WorkSkills Competition 2026 was inaugurated today at Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Sector 28, Chandigarh, after a gap of 16 years. The competition brought together around 110 participants competing across 20 industrial trades from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the region.

The event was organised as an initiative of the Chandigarh Skill Development Mission (CSDM) in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Chandigarh, reaffirming the shared commitment towards strengthening skill development and promoting industry-oriented training.
Addressing and motivating the participants, Dr. Palika Arora, Mission Director, Chandigarh Skill Development Mission, encouraged them to participate with confidence, demonstrate their skills and strive for excellence. She highlighted the importance of strong industry–institute partnerships in enhancing the employability of students and preparing them for future career opportunities. She emphasised that practical exposure, apprenticeships, internships, mentoring and industry-relevant training play a vital role in bridging the gap between institutional training and industry requirements.

Senior representatives of CII also interacted with and motivated the participants, encouraging them to make the most of the competition as an opportunity to benchmark their skills, learn from peers and gain valuable industry exposure.
Leading industry organisations including Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Havells, Asahi Glass, Denso, Godrej & Boyce and Tynor, along with ITIs and other technical institutions, participated in the competition.

The CII Regional WorkSkills Competition provides a platform for ITI students, apprentices and industry professionals to showcase their technical competencies, compete at the regional level and exchange knowledge and best practices. The active participation of leading industries and technical institutions reaffirmed the importance of collaborative efforts in developing a skilled, industry-ready workforce and creating enhanced career opportunities for young people.