The second edition of the Bengaluru Skill Summit 2026 was inaugurated at The Lalit Ashok in Bengaluru on 3 November 2026. The three-day event, running from 3 to 5 November, is organised by the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka, and hosted by the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation in collaboration with the Karnataka Skill Development Authority.
Karnataka Digital Economy Mission serves as Knowledge Partner, Japan is the Country Partner, and Trescon is managing the summit.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by senior ministers and government officials. Dr. Sharanprakash R. Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, delivered the opening address. Dr. M. B. Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, delivered the inaugural speech. Other ministers present included Shri Priyank Kharge, Shri Basavaraja Rayareddy and Shri Rizwan Arshad.
Additional dignitaries included Smt. Shivakantamma (Kanta) Naik, Chairperson of the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation; Shri Subroto Bagchi, Chairman of the Vision Group for Skill Development; industry leaders from Bosch and Lam Research; senior IAS officers; and consular representatives from Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy and other countries.
The programme began with the National Song, National Anthem and State Anthem, followed by a welcome address by Shri Subodh Yadav, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood. Dignitaries inaugurated the summit by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Industry and government leaders then addressed the gathering, after which a video showcasing the department’s initiatives was screened.
Karnataka’s participants at the 48th WorldSkills Competition 2026 in Shanghai were felicitated during the ceremony. The recognition covered a Silver Medal and Best of Nation Award in the Bakery category, along with eight Medallions for Excellence in Additive Manufacturing, Electrical Installations, Industry 4.0, Mechatronics and Robot Systems Integration.
Three publications were released: Karnataka Kaushalya Sampada – The Skill Handbook, 2026 edition; Karnataka Talent Landscape 2026; and Karnataka’s Workforce Blueprint 2030, Second Edition.
Dr. M. B. Patil stated that Karnataka offers a strong industrial ecosystem, investor-friendly policies and a skilled workforce to support future-ready industries, calling for collective investment in talent and industrial growth. Dr. Sharanprakash R. Patil emphasised the government’s responsibility to equip young people not only for existing jobs but for opportunities that will emerge in the future.
The summit is structured around the theme “Workforce 2030: Scale, Systems, Synergy.” Its three pillars focus on expanding access to quality skilling, strengthening institutional frameworks and improving collaboration among government, industry and educational institutions.
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Sessions across the three days cover emerging skills, artificial intelligence, the green economy, Industry 4.0, inclusive skilling, labour market intelligence, global skills and international workforce mobility. The programme includes policy discussions, industry sessions, leadership conversations, masterclasses, a Skill Expo and engagement opportunities for young people and employers.
Bengaluru Skill Summit is a Government of Karnataka platform that brings policymakers, industry, educational institutions and skill-development stakeholders together to discuss workforce development and the future of skills.
