Amid great industry excitement, the Federation of Indian Granite and Stone Industry (FIGSI) on September 18, 2023 unveiled a game-changing initiative for the stone industry in the form of the Centre for Stone Excellence, powered by Vivekanand Global University. Another such Centre is coming up at Hosur, Tamil Nadu.
On the occasion, FIGSI President Ishwinder Singh said, “India has high natural material deposits. We have access to machines. We will soon have a supply of trained manpower. This will also generate thousands of jobs. With material, machines and manpower, India is set to take a leading position in the global market.”
At the core of the Centre is a skill development institute with short-term courses tailored as per requirements of the stone industry, thereby also assuring employment opportunities to skilled manpower that graduates from the institute. While creating more jobs and contributing the economy, the Centre will provide trained manpower to the industry.
Admissions were opened with the unveiling of the Centre and close to 80 students registered for various courses on day one itself.
There will be practical courses on machine operations, stone quarrying, stone processing, accounting, digital marketing and exports with emphasis on the requirements of the stone industry. There will also be specialised courses on stone monuments and internships.
Hundreds of industry stakeholders from various parts of the country were present for the unveiling of the centre. The Centre aims to boost the Indian stone industry’s position in the world and unleash a new era of growth, positioning Indian as a global stone superpower.
Located at Mahindra SEZ, Jaipur, the Centre for Stone Excellence comprises of a world class skill centre exclusively for the stone industry, a soon-to-be-opened incubation hub for stone sector startups and an experience centre focussed on Indian natural stones.
FIGSI is a non-profit organization with over 1400 members and has been working for the benefit of the natural stone industry for the last 40 years. The Federation forms a bridge between businesses, policymakers and all industry stakeholders, also working to help improve industry policy and regulations. FIGSI works to grow the industry and serve the nation.
Vivekanand Global University, a premier Jaipur-based university, is FIGSI’s knowledge partner for the skill centre which is being managed as a joint venture. In close alliance with FIGSI, VGU will spearhead the education and training curriculum to scientifically advance the Indian stone industry.
Learn more about the Centre for Stone Excellence here.
