Art of Indian jewellery at IIJS
One of the highlights of the IIJS 2019 is the Craft Pavilion by Gems and Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI), the nodal body for skill development of the Indian Gems & Jewellery industry under the National Skill Development Council (NSDC).
India’s traditional Jewellery art forms like Thewa, Gajra, Bindri, Tarakasi, etc, are among the few jewellery forms which today have just a handful of artists left making these jewellery designs for generations. Craft Pavilion has received a tremendous response which also demonstrates these rare skills live.
Mr. Pramod Kumar Agrawal, Chairman, GJEPC said,” There is shortage of skilled workforce in the Indian gems and jewellery industry and it needs to be addressed immediately. To make India a world leader in gems and jewellery, we need millions of more skilled work force to add in the industry.
I am happy to see that the GJSCI has taken the initiative to promote India’s traditional Jewellery art forms like Thewa, Gajra, Bindri, Tarakasi, etc, which are among the few jewellery forms which today have just a handful of artists left making these jewellery designs for generations.”
Mr. Sanjay Kothari, Chairman, GJSCI said, “GJSCI we have taken several programmes to attract pool of talent to this sector. Apart from attracting new talent, we also help existing craftsmen or karigars to upgrade their skills. Large global associations like DPA, Platinum Guild, Forevermark, Swarovski and also few other large retailers have shown interest in the GJSCI’s skill development initiatives and are willing to enroll their employees to upgrade their skills and support this ancient art of jewellery.”
Mr Kothari further added, “Given the exposure and manufacturing capacities of artisans, it will be difficult for them to grow. GJSCI has assured all the retailers who have approached them that more capacity will be added by increasing the workforce in this sector and retailers’ requirements will be fulfilled. GJSCI is working towards providing global platforms to showcase these rare and exquisite designs.”
Mr Rajeev Garg, ED &CEO, GJSCI, said, “GJSCI has been sending candidates at the World Skill Competition for last four consecutive versions. In the last three versions, our candidate has won medallion of excellence by being in the top 10 candidates in each of these competitions.
This year we are aspiring for a medal. India’s candidate, Sanjoy Pramanik from Howrah who is all India winner of the domestic version of the India World Skill Competition is being trained in Chennai and will be travelling to Kazan, Russia this month to participate in the World Skill Competition.
Sanjoy has recently won Bronze at Melbourne in Australia and finished third at the competition. He has undergone special training from a Brazilian jewellery skilled trainer for three months before the World Skill Competition this month apart from Indian Expert for last more than one year.”
GJSCI has many training partners including the prestigious Indian Institutes of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ) which conducts courses aligned with GJSCI’s curriculum. Many other private institutes and universities across India also run various programs including B. Voc. In Jewellery related courses.
Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) is the nodal entity for skill development of the Indian Gems & Jewellery industry. It covers skilling under all the areas and functions of the industry such as diamond processing, colored gemstone processing, jewellery manufacturing, wholesale, retail and exports.
The prime objective of the GJSCI is to identify skill development needs in the Gem and Jewellery sector in India, To determine skills / competency standards and develop curriculum as per world Industry standards by creating National Occupational Standards (NOS) for every job role prevailing in the Gem & Jewellery industry, Initiate Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) across India to Recognize the Prior Learning of artisans and provide them with suitable opportunities and affiliate institutes imparting training in the Gems and Jewellery industry.
As of now 22,500+ artisans have been certified across India under RPL and More than 200+ training partners affiliated across India.
