The Covid pandemic has led to migration of skilled artisans of the gems and jewellery industry on a large scale. Most of the skilled artisans that are employed in the jewellery industry hail from states like West Bengal, Tamilnadu, Odisha, Rajasthan, etc.  

Due to uncertainty, these migrant workers returned to their hometowns and struggled to make ends meet.  Most of them had little choice but to adapt to alternate professions. This migration has led to a major vacuum in the gems and jewellery industry in terms of skilled workforce. 

GJSCI Chairman Sanjay Kothari, who is also the Chairman of Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF), envisioned filling this vacuum and decided to offer funds for training of new candidates.

A study was conducted and the job role identified was that of `mircrosetter’, as per industry demand. To begin with, GJSCI, in collaboration with GJNRF, planned a special programme on a priority basis for training of 50 microsetters.  The training lasted 150 hours over a few weeks. 

After successful completion of training, an assessment was done. The candidates who successfully cleared their assessment were felicitated in a certification ceremony at IIGJ, Mumbai.  Rajeev Garg, Executive Director & CEO, GJSCI, welcomed all the dignitaries and candidates and briefed the audience about this special project.  Bharat Vaswani, HOI, IIGJ, the Chief Guest, wished the candidates and assured full support to GJSCI for its upcoming initiatives. Ramnik Shah, Trustee, GJNRF also shared his life’s experience as a motivation to the young candidates.  Arun Shah, Trustee, GJNRF was also present at the event.

As this special project was demand-based, hence an assurance by industry partners has resulted in successful placement of candidates in renowned companies like Kama Schachter, Uni Design, Jasani and Intergold.  The balance 25 candidates would also be placed very soon in similarly reputed companies.

Kothari said GJNRF would continue to fund such projects and also assist with providing placements to these candidates.