‘Gems and Jewellery Industry Lacks Proper Training Network in India'

The Government and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship have taken several skill development measures such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY) and created a benchmark at the national level for skilling in India. However, artisans in the gems and jewellery industry who contribute majorly to the jewellery creation process lack certifications and are struggling to make their both ends meet. In a conversation with Bureaucracy Today, Binit Bhatt, Chief Operating Officer of the Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India, talks about skills in this industry.

- Meghna Chukkath

What role does skill development play in the gems and jewellery sector?

The Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) has been relentlessly contributing towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Skill India programme and taking several measures to nurture the 3.5 million strong skilled, yet uncertified, labour force of the industry. Identified as one of the priority sectors by the Government, this industry contributes 6% to 7% of the nation’s GDP and according to the National Skills Development Council and the ICRA it is expected to grow by 100% in terms of manpower requirement. The industry will have job openings for another 2.5 million candidates by 2022. On the other hand, the unstructured nature of the industry where artisans who contribute majorly to the jewellery creation process have inherited skills, possess no certifications and ironically live quite a lacklustre life with everyday struggles to make their both ends meet in the otherwise glamorous industry.

We at the GJSCI believe that skilling is the only way of making this industry sustainable. One may purchase the most advanced machine to achieve the highest efficiency but that machine is of no use if the skill of operating it is not developed in artisans. The core operation of the gems and jewellery industry is about creating concepts, engineering jewellery pieces and marketing them to the right audience. Therefore, you can see that skill is required at every point in this business.

Why is there a need for skilled manpower and opportunities for career growth in the gems and jewellery domain?