Technology’s polish on Gems and Jewellery sector

Binit Bhatt

INDIA: The Indian Gems and jewellery sector is considered to be the global jewellery-making market; the industry is highly labour-intensive and export-oriented. The sector has also been identified as one of the 14 growth sectors by the government for their Skill India Initiative. The sector currently employs about three million employees and is estimated to employ more than seven million employees by 2022; which implies that there will be additional creation of around three million jobs in next six years.

India has not just a large consumer base for jewellery products but it is also one of the preferred exporters of fabricated jewellery products; this sector has grown at a significant CAGR of 22 per cent. With a market size of almost Rs. 4,54,100crores, gem and jewellery sector plays an important role in the Indian economy with its share of the GDP at 5.9 per cent.

India, which is known as one of the youngest country in the world however, ironically finds a growing shortage of skilled workforce, and particularly in this industry. The average age of the workers in this industry is 25-45 years; workers are typically from low-income families and often school drop-outs. They are either trained by an elder in the family, by a co-worker or a fellow villager. To cater to the need for skilled artisans there are various initiatives taken up by the government, and one of them is ‘Skill India’ initiative which aims to create opportunities, space and scope for the development of the talents of the Indian youth.

Binit Bhatt

The goal of this initiative is to provide training and skill development to 500 million youth of our country by 2020.

To facilitate and cater to gem and jewellery industry with skilled manpower Gem and jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) came into existence under the aegis of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

When we look at our aim is to create an organized training and development ecosystem in jewellery industry to produce skilled workforce at par with global quality standards, we see Technology as an integral of achieving the massive target of training 500 million youth of the nation. Though technology has touched every aspect of life, when it comes to gems and jewellery industry, it is still dependent on old-school methodologies. As GJSCI, our aim is to use the digital India vision in order to achieve the Skill India Initiative for the sector we are working for. Examples include a new job portal.

We understand the gap that exists between skilled artisans and the companies today; and most of the artisans are hired through references from existing employees, mainly, because of assurance reliability required for handling high-value materials and guarantee of low-labour unrest. Consequently, the workers hail from closed groups, so it was important to bridge the gap between the employees and employers.

In India organized retail players are increasingly looking at expanding their footprint to garner market share and unorganized players are reaching out for new ways to be organized. Simultaneously, the customers today are much aware about hallmarking and certification, and they demand it for proving the quality of the products.

Understanding the needs of all the parties and facilitating the retail sector, GJSCI also launched Digital Jewellery retail sales associate (JRSA) - an e-learning application, which is basically a digital medium of learning to upgrade the employability. It upgrades the knowledge of sales associate with the latest trends in the industry and skill of selling.

Through such digital approaches, GJSCI is constantly working towards the skill development of Gem and jewellery industry, where technology plays a significant part. GJSCI will support artisans to adapt with the latest technology in the industry by skilling and certifying them, and will also find ways to impart skilling and training through latest digital mediums.

(Binit Bhatt is COO, Gems and Jewellery Skill Council of India. The views expressed here are of the author and CyberMedia does not necessarily endorse them.)