A modern training ecosystem is equipping youth with the skills needed for automation-led logistics and supply-chain innovation.

Hyderabad has added a new feather to its growing reputation as a hub for modern skill development with the launch of the Centre of Logistics Training Excellence (COLTE) at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI). Designed as a next-generation skilling ecosystem, the centre aims to prepare India’s youth for careers in a logistics industry that is rapidly transforming under the influence of automation, data intelligence, and digital infrastructure.

The initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC) and the Redington Foundation, the CSR arm of Redington Ltd. The partnership underscores a growing recognition that the logistics sector—valued as the backbone of India’s manufacturing and services economy—requires a steady pipeline of workers trained not just in traditional transport and warehousing roles but in technology-led operations.

At the heart of the new centre are immersive training environments: truck-driving simulators, warehouse operation labs, and forklift-training systems, all designed to mimic real-world conditions. These are complemented by digital modules that introduce trainees to critical Industry 4.0 tools such as automated inventory systems, GPS-enabled fleet monitoring, and data-driven supply chain management. The blended model is expected to significantly improve job readiness for students, especially those entering the logistics workforce for the first time.

Officials at the launch emphasized that the centre aligns with national priorities such as the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti, which together aim to streamline supply chains, reduce logistics costs, and improve multimodal connectivity across India. A future-ready workforce, they noted, is essential for these policy visions to translate into measurable outcomes.

For young people in Telangana—many of whom seek entry into fast-growing sectors—the facility offers a strategic advantage. Logistics has emerged as one of India’s strongest job creators, fuelled by e-commerce expansion, retail growth, and the modernization of warehouse clusters. With companies increasingly seeking talent fluent in both operational and digital competencies, the training centre fills a long-standing skill gap.

The Hyderabad centre also builds on the success of a similar model introduced in Chennai, which demonstrated strong industry engagement and favourable placement outcomes. Officials hope to replicate the approach in other states, gradually creating a nationwide network of standardized logistics skilling hubs.

As India moves toward a more technology-integrated supply-chain ecosystem, the new training centre stands out as both timely and necessary—positioning youth not only for stable employment but for leadership in a sector undergoing its most significant transformation in decades.