Dear members and valued readers,
Our Federation embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to address the acute shortage of skilled manpower in the stone industry sometime ago. This initiative led to the establishment of two Centres for Stone Excellence – one located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and the other inaugurated recently in Hosur.
The unveiling of the FIGSI Skill Centre in Hosur marks a significant milestone in the journey.
With state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated faculty, the institute is poised to become a beacon of skill development in the region.
The ceremony, held on March 7, 2024, witnessed the unveiling of a pioneering initiative aimed at propelling the Indian stone industry to new heights, and was cheered by industry members and stakeholders alike.
The centres aim to bridge the gap between industry needs and available skilled workforce by offering specialized courses and practical training in various aspects of the stone industry.
As these institutes take shape and formal courses gain momentum, I present a report on the strong progress we’ve been making.
As of the latest update, the FIGSI Skill Centre in Jaipur has students currently pursuing courses in Digital Marketing, Accounts Executive training and CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) operations. Each course offered currently is of three months in duration. Many registrations have been completed for upcoming batches, indicating a strong interest in the courses offered.
To provide real-world exposure, students have had the opportunity to visit various industries for practical training. These visits, totalling four so far, offer invaluable insights into industry practices, enhancing the learning experience. Students have been introduced to a range of machinery crucial to the stone industry.
Machinery such as Router Machine, Water Jet, and Laser Cutting devices have been integrated into the curriculum. Students are actively engaged in operating these machines, receiving hands-on training under expert guidance.
The next few pages contain details and updates on some of the activities I have highlighted above. I hope you enjoy reading them and are as excited by the prospects this mega initiative holds as I am. The first batch of the institute passes soon and I encourage members to evaluate our candidates for hiring where apt.
As FIGSI continues to champion skill development and excellence, the future of the stone industry looks brighter than ever before.
Warm regards,
Ishwinder Singh
Chairman, Skill Development Sub Committee
