Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Skill Development Centre in Kandivali, Mumbai, on Monday, setting an ambitious goal of creating one lakh job opportunities over the course of the next year. The newly launched centre aims to empower youth by equipping them with essential skills across various industries, ultimately driving employment growth and supporting India’s economic expansion.
In his address at the event, Goyal emphasized the importance of skill development, particularly in light of India’s growing significance as a global investment hub. He highlighted that the demand for a skilled workforce is on the rise as international companies increasingly view India as a prime destination for their business operations. “This centre will play a critical role in preparing young individuals from various sectors with the skills they need to thrive in today’s competitive job market,” Goyal said.
He further expressed confidence that the target of providing jobs to one lakh youth within a year is entirely attainable. The Minister also announced plans for another, larger skill development centre that will be established in Borivali within the coming months. This upcoming facility will further expand the reach of skill training initiatives, complementing the efforts of the Kandivali centre to nurture and support the next generation of workers.
“Not only will we meet this target, but we will exceed expectations,” Goyal remarked, reaffirming the government’s commitment to advancing skill development programs. According to him, a well-trained workforce is vital to ensure that India remains competitive on the global stage, and the skill development initiatives led by CII are a critical step in that direction.
At the same event, R Mukundan, Vice President of the CII and Managing Director & CEO of Tata Chemicals, spoke about the significance of this new centre. He described it as an industry-led initiative that would have a transformative impact on the lives and livelihoods of young people in Maharashtra.
Mukundan stressed that the training provided at the centre will align closely with the National Standards set by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), ensuring that the youth are equipped with industry-relevant skills that are in demand. “This initiative will serve as a model for others to follow, demonstrating how industry and government can come together to bridge the skills gap and create tangible employment opportunities,” Mukundan stated.
He further added that the CII Skill Development Centre, through its carefully crafted programs, is projected to impact not only individual job seekers but also micro-entrepreneurs, with a target of reaching 50,000 individuals over the next three years. Mukundan emphasized that by leveraging the expertise and resources of various industries, the centre will be able to offer high-quality training that meets the needs of both employers and job seekers.
He acknowledged the critical role industry leaders must play in shaping the future workforce and encouraged more companies to get involved in similar skill development efforts. The inauguration of the CII Skill Development Centre marks a significant step forward in India’s quest to build a skilled and dynamic workforce.
With its ambitious targets, the centre is expected to address the skill shortages that many industries are currently facing, while also providing a pathway to better livelihoods for thousands of youth in Maharashtra. As Goyal and Mukundan highlighted, this collaborative initiative between government and industry has the potential to create lasting change, contributing to India’s long-term growth and development.
