In alignment with the Government of India’s ongoing digitalization initiatives, telecommunications provider Ericsson and the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) have announced the launch of the Ericsson ITI Labs Project. The program aims to train 10,000 students from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India in 5G infrastructure deployment and emerging telecom technologies.
The collaboration is designed to enhance employability and support entrepreneurship by providing practical, hands-on training focused on the deployment and maintenance of 5G networks. As India transitions toward a 5G-enabled digital economy, the initiative seeks to address the expanding demand for a skilled telecom workforce by bridging existing skill gaps and aligning training with current industry standards.
Hub-and-Spoke Training Model
The project will establish 10 advanced Ericsson ITI Labs across the country. Operating on a hub-and-spoke model, each laboratory will serve a cluster of ITIs, altogether covering approximately 100 institutes. The initiative intends to benefit roughly 100 students per participating institute.
Students will complete a 60-hour specialized training curriculum focused on critical telecom job roles. The training roles include:
- Telecom Rigger for 5G and legacy networks
- 5G Active Network Installation Technician
- Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH/X) Installer
- Wireless Technician
- 5G Infrastructure Technician
To promote gender diversity within the telecom and technology sectors, the project has mandated that women will comprise at least 20 percent of the total enrolled student population.
Overview of Training Scope and Collaborations
| Metric / Detail | Project Specification |
| Total Target Students | 10,000 across India |
| Institutes Covered | ~100 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) |
| Infrastructure | 10 state-of-the-art Hub Labs |
| Curriculum Duration | 60 hours of specialized, hands-on training |
| Gender Diversity Target | Minimum 20% female enrollment |
Broader Digitalization Efforts
The ITI Labs Project expands upon Ericsson’s existing educational and digital literacy initiatives in India, which currently include 40 centers dedicated to providing ICT and soft skills training to underserved youth. The company has also established 15 Robotic Labs nationwide to introduce younger students to coding, programming, and robotics.
Furthermore, Ericsson is collaborating with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on the “One Hundred 5G Use Case Labs” initiative across 100 institutes. Through this partnership, the company has opened its Ericsson Educate platform to 10,000 students, offering introductory learning materials on automation, telecommunications, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, and machine learning.
Operating in India for over 120 years, Ericsson continues to provide digital infrastructure to support the country’s economic growth and digitalization targets while maintaining its local manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and talent ecosystem.
Lt Gen K H Gawas, CEO, Telecom Sector Skill Council marked the occasion, stating:
As India advances towards a 5G-enabled digital future, the demand for skilled telecom professionals continues to grow. The Ericsson ITI Labs Project is a transformative initiative that aligns strongly with the vision of Skill India and India’s focus on building a digitally skilled and future-ready workforce. At TSSC, our focus is on empowering youth with industry-aligned skills that enhance employability and prepare them for emerging technology careers. The project will provide students with valuable hands-on exposure to next-generation telecom technologies, while also encouraging greater participation of women in telecom and technology roles.
Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, says:
A highly skilled and future-ready workforce is required to support the strong digital infrastructure across the country. The Ericsson ITI Labs Project aims to equip young people with industry-relevant skills and practical exposure on next-generation telecom technologies, in order to create stronger employment opportunities and a sustainable talent pipeline for the sector. This initiative reflects Ericsson’s continued commitment to strengthening India’s digital ecosystem and supporting the country’s broader digital ambitions.