Kirit Somaiya - MP Visits GJSCI’s Training Facility in Mumbai at IIGJ

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai: Mr. Kirit Somaiya, Member of Parliament, North-East Mumbai visited GJSCI’s state-of-art training centre in Mumbai at IIGJ-M, where he met Mr. Binit Bhatt, CEO, GJSCI and Mr. Prem Kumar, Chairman, GJSCI. During the two hours visit, Mr. Somaiya was given a detailed overview by Mr. Binit Bhatt on various initiatives taken by GJSCI for the up-liftment of gems & Jewellery industry and its workforce.  

Mr. Kirit Somaiya had a close look and appreciated the efforts taken by GJSCI as well as the advanced teaching techniques and utilities available at the Centre and also extended his best wishes to the division. He also had a detailed discussion with Mr. Binit Bhatt, CEO, GJSCI & Mr. Prem Kothari, Chairman, GJSCI on various aspects related to skilling of labour force of the sector. Further to this, Mr. Somaiya visited Shree Raj Jewels, an export oriented unit located within SEEPZ where Ms. Aekta Shah, COO, Shree Raj Jewels gave detailed insights to various nuances of modern day Jewellery manufacturing. 

“GJSCI is dedicatedly working towards the up-liftment of workforce of gems & Jewellery sector. With training being the core of the entire process, we are very particular about having state-of-art facilities. It was an honour for us to have Mr. Somaiya visiting GJSCI’s training center and taking interest in understanding the training process and functionalities. He appreciated GJSCI for its efforts and contribution to the industry which”, said Mr. Binit Bhatt, CEO, GJSCI.

“Today, India is one of the biggest gold market and with so much of talent in the youth supported by state-of-art training facility like this one, we are certain that the Indian Gems &  Jewellery industry will continue to radiate its sheen and luster on a global level”, said Mr. Kirit Somaiya, Member of Parliament

Binit Bhatt, Chief Executive Officer, Gem & Jewellery Council of India (GJSCI)  brings with him more than 26 years of industry experience. An MBA (Marketing) by qualification, Binit also holds a GG & FJC certificate from GIA. During his time in the industry, he has excelled in various roles in the including 4 years in New York with a leading exporter. However, his natural inclination towards gems and jewellery and passion to empower people has made him take up the current assignment with GJSCI. Binit joined GJSCI in the year 2015 and since then has been managing the operations for GJSCI on pan India level. All GJSCI initiatives under his leadership have been aiming at creating skilled labour force for the industry as well as upgrade the standard of living of an average artisan. In addition to his role at GJSCI Binit loves his stint as a corporate trainer FOR ‘Emotional Intelligence’ and was a visiting faculty at IIGJ based in Mumbai.

Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI)

Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India would like to take our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Skill India’ initiative to the next level.  We have so far already skilled more than 80,000 plus candidates since inception. Formed under the aegis of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), GJSCI is relentlessly working towards creating a skilled labour force for the Gems & Jewellery Industry.

The Gems & Jewellery industry has been earmarked as one of the priority sectors which contribute to almost 6% of India’s GDP. The industry currently employees 3.5 million Indians and by 2022, additional 2.5 million jobs are expected to be created. On the other hand, awareness for skilled labour force and its importance is low. With an aim to bridge this gap GJSCI has been providing a standardized and qualitative training programme to the karigars/artisans. Though they in some cases have inherited skills, this training helps them in upgrading their skill levels while at the same time improving their standard of living.  GJSCI has created "National Occupation Standard" with 117 different qualification packs needed to train Artisans in the industry; these qualifications will infact cover 80% of the manpower requirements of this Industry. The curriculums developed are in multiple languages to support the training in this regard. It offers certifications across all segments of the jewellery industry, including diamond processing, coloured gemstone processing, and jewellery manufacturing, wholesale and retail.

Since its inception, GJSCI has signed several MOU's with various bodies including Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), MSSDS (Maharashtra State Skill Development Society) and a tri-party agreement with Imitation Jewellery Manufacturers

Association (IJMA) & Aasmant Foundation at Palghar. It has also conducted and participated in activities like WorldSkills India Finals, Delhi Jewellery & Gem Fair (DJGF), Mumbai SuvarnakarSangh Felicitation, ASAP Skill Conclave, MSDE Skill Conclave, Affiliation with MKSSS and much more.

GJSCI understands that every individual is unique and possesses unique strengths. This has led to the launch of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme which assesses the candidates to identify previous often experiential learning’s and recognizes the talent towards gaining a qualification. Jewellery manufacturing organizations employing artisans’ experienced through non- formal learning channels can opt to get their skill sets in order to build on what they have learnt.

GJSCI’s foundation has been backed by The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), The All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF), The SEEPZ Gems & Jewellery Manufacturers Association (SGJMA) and The Jaipur Jewellery Association (JJA).