(L-R) Rahul Mehta of FFSC introduces Rajesh Mittal, Founder-Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Greenply Industries; Trishaljeet Sethi, Director General of Training; Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary; Homag India’s Venkataramana Gorti, and Nandkishor Mistry of Swati Interiors.

The Furniture and Fittings Skill Council (FFSC) celebrated its 9th Foundation Day with an event showcasing its commitment to building a skill culture to drive industry growth through the FFSC Skill Ambassador programme.

Driven by the philosophy of power of collaboration, this programme remains at the heart of FFSC’s strategy to harness the Power of Skills.

The event highlighted FFSC’s growth over the last 4 years, expanding its member base, and engaging over 1,500 companies as Skill Ambassadors. More than 200 participants, including key industry leaders, government officials, and training representatives, took part in the celebration.

Venkataramana Gorti, Managing Director and Country Head of Homag India, assumed the role of FFSC Chairperson, while Nand Kishore Mistry, CEO of Swati Interiors, took charge as the FFSC Co-chairperson.

FFSC CEO Rahul Mehta detailed the transition from ‘proof of concept’ to fully operational models, including the growth of the regional skill chapters and the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Hyderabad and Mumbai.

A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of the CoE in Hyderabad by Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

This Hyderabad CoE represents a significant advancement in the region’s skill development infrastructure, established through a unique partnership between the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), FFSC and industry stakeholders.

The Minister praised FFSC’s Skill Ambassadors programme and the cluster-based approach of the regional skill chapters, which are crucial for building a robust skill ecosystem.

The launch of the ‘One Nation One Industry: Grow with the Power of Skills’ campaign was also announced, aiming to expand the skill development model and establish more regional skill chapters nationwide.

Development plan

To prepare tailored skill development plans for Kolkata and Pune, FFSC conducted industry consultation meetings on June 7 and 13, 2024. Supported by Skill Ambassadors, such as Kutchina, Creaticity and the Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID), these meetings gathered over 100 industry partners. Discussions focused on challenges including manpower shortages, workforce skill gaps, and the need for enhanced training infrastructure.

Rahul Mehta presented FFSC’s skill development model, which involves setting up regional skill chapters to formalize industry connections and provide training, apprenticeship, and human resource solutions.

FFSC stakeholder engagement dead, Shrikanth Sasi, highlighted successes from other regional skill chapters, including the World Skills Competition and the Hyderabad CoE.

Participants engaged in skill gap tests, contributing to a methodical approach for regional skill assessments, which will inform company-specific and regional development plans.

Centre of Excellence

The Hyderabad CoE represents an example of successful collaboration among industry, academia and government. The process began with an initial consultation and assessment phase, where FFSC organized an industry orientation session and conducted a skill gap test.

These activities were instrumental in identifying regional challenges and understanding the specific needs of the industry. The insights gained during this phase provided a solid foundation for developing targeted solutions.

Building on the insights from the initial assessment, the Hyderabad regional skill chapter was officially launched. This launch was a critical step in formalizing industry connections and laying the groundwork for the CoE.

Following the chapter launch, a collaborative town hall was organized with industry partners to discuss and finalize the proposed solutions. This gathering was essential for aligning all stakeholders and making collective decisions about the CoE’s location and operational details and to build a platform for detailed discussions and consensus-building.

With the location and operational plans in place, the establishment of the CoE and Skill Academy commenced. This phase saw significant contributions from partners such as the Modular Furniture Manufacturers Association (MFMA), Homag India and the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI).

The MFMA helped in unifying the industry on a single platform, Homag assisted with setting up the machinery, and NSTI provided the space for the CoE.

Additionally, apprenticeship memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed with various industry partners to ensure that students would have apprenticeship opportunities following their training.

After the soft launch of the CoE in November, FFSC focused on student orientation and awareness. Multiple orientation sessions were held to educate students about job and growth opportunities within the furniture and fittings sector.

Over 500 students participated in these sessions, and more than 100 underwent the skill aptitude test to evaluate their suitability for various industry roles. Additionally, 20 scholarships were awarded to highlight FFSC’s commitment to supporting and nurturing emerging talent.

The final phase involved a rigorous three-month training program that included hands-on learning, guidance from industry experts, and practical projects. The programme also featured industry visits to provide students with real-world experience.

Currently, 16 students are in the final stages of the programme, participating in on-the-job training to prepare them for apprenticeships. This phase ensures that students are well-prepared for careers in the furniture sector, demonstrating the effectiveness of the CoE’s training approach.

‘Design and Build’

Despite the furniture industry’s broad range of career opportunities, public awareness remains limited, often reducing it to carpentry or manual labour. To address this, FFSC’s Design and Build Programme aims to provide hands-on experience and bridge the gap between perception and reality.

A notable initiative involved students from Bal Nandanvan Nisarg School in Dahanu visiting Swati Interiors in Silvassa. This immersive experience allowed students to explore furniture production and participate in installation activities, fostering a better understanding of industry roles.

Additionally, FFSC conducted successful orientation sessions and a placement drive at Sun Foundation in Delhi, where 22 students engaged with Czar Designs representatives to explore various career opportunities. The enthusiastic participation from students underscored the potential for increased industry interest.

FFSC is excited about future collaborations to continue fostering skill development and industry awareness in India. For more information write to info@ffsc.in.

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