Jindal Stainless, Capital Goods & Strategic Skill Council launch Participant Handbook for houseware industry to benefit 20 lakh workers nationally

Bangalore, July 08, 2024: Jindal Stainless, India’s largest stainless steel manufacturer, and skill development body Capital Goods & Strategic Skill Council (CGSSC) have joined forces to standardise one-of-its-kind skilling content for the stainless steel kitchenware industry that will benefit up to 20 lakh workers across India. The CEO, Capital Goods & Strategic Skill Council, Ms Shalini Singh; and Director, Corporate Affairs, Jindal Stainless, Mr Vijay Sharma jointly launched the Participant Handbook (PH) and the Qualification Pack (QP) titled ‘Operator-Stainless Steel Kitchenware Manufacturing’ at the 14th Indian Houseware Show here over the weekend. A Skill India initiative, the PH is designed to address the industry-academia skill gap by imparting essential skills and create a talent pool.

The newly launched Handbook will serve as the primary source of skilling content aimed at boosting productivity for both current and aspiring employees in the hollowware workforce. Additionally, the industry can utilise it for independent training sessions. By standardising training, the Handbook will help increase productivity by reducing errors and waste through well-defined guidelines and best practices. This will also ensure consistent product quality, meeting both domestic and international standards.

Commenting at the launch, CEO, CGSSC, Ms Shalini Singh, said, “We are happy to launch this one-of-a-kind Participant Handbook dedicated to the stainless steel kitchenware industry. We are hoping that as a first step, the regional kitchenware associations will circulate it in their regions or clusters. CGSSC takes pride in having developed structured training programmes focusing on stainless steel properties, manufacturing techniques, quality standards, and safety protocols specific to kitchenware utensils in association with downstream markets and players such as Jindal Stainless. In the next 3 years, we want to target around 5,000 fresh talent and upskill 30,000 operators annually in stainless steel kitchenware manufacturing, with support from the industry and various government schemes. Such initiatives should be explored to be implemented in the Karnataka state for the employment and entrepreneurial ventures under the flagship of Karnataka Skill Development Corporation.”

Adding to it, Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr Vijay Sharma, said, “As pioneers of stainless steel in India, we are pleased to introduce this Participant Handbook for the hollowware industry in collaboration with the CGSSC. Manufacturing stainless steel cookware demands precision, expertise, and meticulous attention to detail to produce high-quality products that meet consumer expectations for durability, performance, and safety. These initiatives are crucial for building a sustainable talent pipeline and ensuring the continued growth, competitiveness, and success of the stainless steel industry. Through this Handbook, we aim to emphasise on workforce skill training as part of our Stainless Academy. This initiative of Jindal Stainless serves as a hub for education, training, skilling and upskilling, research, and collaboration. It works on multiple fronts to ensure category recognition and awareness, thereby increasing the usage of stainless steel.”