In a significant step towards strengthening vocational and technology-driven education in India, Mastercam India has joined a consortium led by NELCO Ltd. (A Tata Enterprise) to introduce advanced CAD/CAM and manufacturing education in government schools across Uttar Pradesh. The initiative forms part of the ambitious DREAM Labs project launched by the Uttar Pradesh Government to equip students with future-ready skills aligned with Industry 4.0 requirements.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on May 23, 2026, at the Directorate of Secondary Education, Lucknow, between the Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Department (Samagra Shiksha, Secondary) and the industrial consortium comprising NELCO Ltd., Mastercam, Yaskawa, 3D Systems, and Ace Designers. The event was attended by senior government officials including Shri Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Basic and Secondary Education, and Ms. Monika Rani, Director General, School Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Under the initiative, advanced DREAM Labs will be established in 600 government secondary and higher secondary schools across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. The project will operate through a Hub-and-Spoke model consisting of 150 Hub Schools and 450 Spoke Schools, ensuring widespread access to modern technical education. The rollout will be implemented in three phases.
The DREAM Labs will function as innovation and skill-development centres where students from Classes 9 to 12 will gain hands-on exposure to emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing, Electronics, Drone Technology, Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles, Agricultural Science, Design Thinking, and Advanced Manufacturing.
As part of the consortium, Mastercam India will provide industry-recognized CAD/CAM software and curriculum for Advanced Manufacturing programs. Students in Grades 9 and 10 will be trained under NSQF Level 3, while Grades 11 and 12 will receive training under NSQF Level 4. The objective is to provide young learners with practical, industry-oriented vocational skills through globally acclaimed curricula, modern machinery, and hands-on learning experiences.
The project aligns closely with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and the Skill India Mission. Beyond providing infrastructure, the five-year partnership model includes advanced machinery, digital platforms, maintenance support, teacher training, and continuous capacity-building initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma described the initiative as an investment in the future of Uttar Pradesh’s youth, emphasizing the three key outcomes of Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Employment. He highlighted the importance of equipping students with Industry 4.0 skills to meet rapidly evolving industrial requirements.
Ms. Monika Rani noted that the DREAM Labs project would provide a new direction to vocational education and stressed the importance of effective implementation, particularly in aspirational districts, through quality training, proper infrastructure, and result-oriented monitoring.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Vineet Seth, Managing Director of Mastercam India, said that vocational education at the school level is essential for building a future-ready manufacturing workforce. He highlighted Mastercam India’s extensive experience in supporting more than 715 government ITIs and polytechnics across India and expressed confidence that the DREAM Labs initiative would inspire students to develop a passion for manufacturing, innovation, and engineering from an early age.
The project is expected to create one of India’s largest school-level technology education ecosystems, preparing thousands of students for careers in advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies while supporting the nation’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse.