Aligning with the Indian government’s digitalization push, Ericsson and TSSC have launched the Ericsson ITI Labs Project to equip 10,000 Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students with hands-on skills in 5G infrastructure deployment and emerging telecom technologies.
The initiative is designed to boost employability and spark entrepreneurship by giving ITI students practical training in deploying and maintaining 5G networks and related infrastructure.
As India accelerates toward a 5G-enabled digital economy, demand for a skilled telecom workforce is surging. This Ericsson-TSSC collaboration aims to close the existing skills gap by aligning training with real industry needs and delivering job-ready competencies.
The project by Ericsson and TSSC will set up 10 state-of-the-art Ericsson ITI Labs across India, each serving a cluster of ITIs through a hub-and-spoke model. Around 100 ITIs will be covered, with roughly 100 students per institute benefiting from the program.
Participants will complete a focused 60-hour training curriculum targeting key telecom roles, including:
- Telecom Rigger (5G and legacy networks)
- 5G Active Network Installation Technician
- Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH/X) Installer
- Wireless Technician
- 5G Infrastructure Technician
To drive greater diversity in the sector, at least 20% of enrolled students will be women.
Going beyond traditional skilling, the Ericsson ITI Labs Project is built to create sustainable livelihood pathways by giving students real-world exposure to telecom infrastructure and next-gen technologies.
This effort builds on Ericsson’s broader educational footprint in India, which already includes 40 centers delivering ICT and soft-skills training to underprivileged youth. Ericsson has also established 15 Robotic Labs to spark early interest in technology through coding, programming, and robotics.
In partnership with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ericsson supported the creation of 100 5G Use Case Labs across 100 institutes and opened its Ericsson Educate platform to 10,000 students, providing learning materials on Automation, Telecommunications, AI, IoT, 5G, and Machine Learning at an introductory level.
Leadership Comments
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.”
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