In a significant development for Maharashtra’s gem and jewellery sector, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and Shri Uday Samant, Hon’ble Minister of Industries, Maharashtra, recently inaugurated a new gem and jewellery training & skilling centre in Ratnagiri. The initiative, spearheaded by the apex trade body Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and sponsored by the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry, marks a pivotal step towards nurturing talent and preserving the state’s rich legacy in handcrafted and bespoke jewellery.
With India’s growing reputation as a design-driven jewellery manufacturing hub, the primary objective of the Centre is to provide a platform for emerging talent to thrive while safeguarding and promoting Maharashtra’s cultural heritage in jewellery craftsmanship. This initiative aligns with GJEPC’s ongoing efforts to preserve India’s design capital and foster creativity in the industry.
The Training and Skilling Centre in Ratnagiri aims to equip locals with industry-specific skills, thereby generating employment opportunities and bolstering economic growth in the region. Through comprehensive training programs, the center seeks to empower individuals with expertise in jewellery manufacturing, cultural heritage preservation, entrepreneurship promotion, and overall community development.
Expressing his support for the initiative, Shri Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the state’s commitment to developing India’s most advanced Gems & Jewellery Park in Navi Mumbai, which is expected to create over 1 lakh jobs. He commended GJEPC for extending opportunities to talented individuals across Maharashtra and emphasized the significant contribution of the gems and jewellery sector to the state’s economy.
Similarly, Shri Uday Samant emphasized the importance of initiatives like the Ratnagiri training and skilling center in maintaining Maharashtra’s leadership position in the gem & jewellery business. He announced that the center would open its doors within two months, offering assured employment to 1,500 students enrolling in the first three years.
Shri Vipul Shah, Chairman of GJEPC, expressed gratitude to the Maharashtra Government for providing the space and infrastructure for the Training and Skilling Centre in Ratnagiri. He underscored the pivotal role of the gem and jewellery export industry in India’s economy and reiterated GJEPC’s commitment to achieving USD 75 billion in exports by 2030 through skill development initiatives like this.
The Ratnagiri Training and Skilling Centre will offer courses covering various aspects of jewellery making, including filing & assembling, metal setting, polishing & finishing, casting machine operation, and computer-aided design. Upon completion, certified trainees will gain access to employment opportunities in gem and jewellery manufacturing companies across Maharashtra and beyond.
This initiative reflects GJEPC’s dedication to fostering skill development and innovation in the gem and jewellery sector. By investing in the local workforce’s skills and talents, GJEPC aims to build a brighter future for the industry and the community in Ratnagiri.
