SKF India (Industrial) Limited (NSE: SKFINDUS | BSE: 544572) has launched its first SKF Employability & Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) Centre at Jadhavwadi, Chikhali, Pune. The centre aims to prepare young people from underserved communities for jobs in manufacturing and help address the demand for skilled workers in the industrial sector.
The facility has been established in partnership with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), Tata STRIVE and Bosch India Foundation. It brings together civic infrastructure, technical expertise and vocational training to provide young people with industry-oriented skills.
The first batch will comprise 100 students, who will undergo a 300-hour training programme for shopfloor technician and industrial electrician roles. In addition to technical instruction, the programme will cover communication, soft skills, digital literacy and awareness of artificial intelligence. Participants will also receive placement support after completing the course.
The programme is open to candidates who have completed at least Class 10. The partners will also undertake targeted outreach to encourage more women to consider careers in manufacturing. The centre was inaugurated in the presence of representatives from PCMC and ITI Morwadi, along with officials from SKF India (Industrial), Tata STRIVE and Bosch India Foundation.
Sujeeth Pai, Managing Director of SKF India (Industrial), said the manufacturing sector needed skilled workers who could adapt to changing shopfloor requirements. He said the SEED Centre would combine practical technical training, digital and AI awareness, recognised certification and placement assistance to improve employment opportunities for young people.
Under the partnership, PCMC will provide institutional infrastructure and local support. Tata STRIVE will contribute its experience in youth skilling and employability, while Bosch India Foundation will support the development of specialised shopfloor courses, trainer capacity and candidate assessments aligned with industry requirements.
Ameya Vanjari, Chief Operating Officer of Tata STRIVE, said the initiative would connect vocational training more closely with the needs of employers. He said the programme would combine technical instruction with workplace and digital skills to help candidates secure employment and build sustainable livelihoods.
PCMC Mayor Ravi Landage said industrial growth in Pimpri-Chinchwad should create opportunities for local communities. He described the centre as an investment in young people and their ability to build independent livelihoods. PCMC Commissioner Vijay Suryavanshi said partnerships between civic bodies and industry could help connect skill development with employment requirements and create a direct route from training to jobs.
SKF India (Industrial) plans to establish a second SEED Centre in Bavla, Ahmedabad, in December 2026. The company intends to develop the initiative as a model that can be extended to other locations, supporting youth employment and the manufacturing sector’s requirement for trained personnel.
Founded in 1907, SKF manufactures bearings, seals, lubrication systems and condition-monitoring solutions, along with related services. The company operates in approximately 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. SKF reported annual sales of SEK 91,583 million in 2025 and employed 37,271 people.
