The skill gap is a given; how critical is this gap and what can the industry do to bridge it is what subject matter experts explained in this eye-opening session
Furniture & Fittings Skill Council CEO Gurpal Singh shared the council’s blueprint for the next five years. FFSC aims to establish an eco-system that will not only nurture skill development but will also accelerate the process of vocational education in the furniture and fittings industry. The council’s new standards are designed to bridge the anticipated skill gap, and the apprenticeship program to enable candidates from short term training courses to enrol as apprentices.
About FFSC: Furniture & Fittings Skill Council (FFSC), promoted by CII with financial support from NSDC, focuses on establishing an effective eco-system for development and imparting of skills for the furniture & fittings industry.
Having a lean approach to manufacturing is as critical as having the right skills. The renowned Toyota Way advocates incremental efficiency in every process of every function of an enterprise.
“A lean approach is critical to achieving manufacturing excellence and healthy bottom lines,” said Deepak Gupta, founder of SUCH Management Research Group. He also highlighted the training and development programs that MSMEs could participate in through government funding. He cited the example of MSME clusters in Ludhiana that had benefitted from the government scheme and called upon the industry to participate in such initiatives.
About SMRG: SMRG helps small and medium scale industries implement LEAN/TPM practices as well as best HR practices.
Madhup Chaturvedi, director at Hettich Poddar Woodworking Institute (HPWWI), explained the role of private investment in the skilling sector. He stressed that it could make a significant difference in the skilling sphere where quality infrastructure has been a matter of concern.
“As a CSR project, the HPWWI skilling centre has been providing training to students to build competency in the area of modular kitchens, wardrobes and hardware installations,” said Chaturvedi. He urged the industry players to sign up HPWWI as their training partner.
About HPWWI: Hettich Poddar Woodworking Institute, a CSR initiative of Hettich, skills people in woodworking, carpentry and hardware installation at zero cost, to make them employable and suitable for industry.
Rahul Mehta, CEO of Udaipur-based furniture maker I.EVO, shared his thoughts on why skilling is a mission-critical imperative if India is to achieve manufacturing excellence. “In academics, the focus is more on theory and less on the practical aspects. At I.EVO we enrol students for internship and train them on machines and other practical aspects. In this way, we prepare an industry-ready workforce.”
About I.EVO: Udaipur based I.EVO is a versatile contract manufacturer of all interior solutions for the hospitality and residential sectors.
Ar Rajendra Kumar, director at School of Architecture, Noida International University (NIU), pitched for industry-academia collaboration. “It is time for academia and industry to join hands. This will not only help bridge the existing skill gap but will also prepare a pool of future-ready industry workforce.”
About NIU: Noida International University, a UGC-recognised university and sponsored by Maruti Educational Trust, offers more than 150 programs at undergraduate, postgraduate & doctorate levels through 11 schools. The university boasts of an array of accredited courses, qualified faculty, state of the art infrastructure and students from 28 nations.
