The Indian gems and jewellery industry is one of the biggest business sectors in India, playing a vital role in the Indian economy. It contributes around 7 % of India’s GDP and approximately 16 % of the overall merchandise exports. The gems and jewellery industry is a major export-oriented sector while at the same time being highly labour intensive. The industry provides gainful employment to over 4.5 million workers, both in organized as well as unorganized sectors.
An expert committee set up by the Government of India, had recommended that to increase the export of Gems & Jewellery, the jewellery catering to the taste of clients may be manufactured as per contemporary designs. This objective was to be achieved by having skilled artisans and in-house jewellery designing capabilities/ facilities. There was also a need to apprise the Indian workforce of the latest technology for cutting and polishing of diamonds. To achieve this objective, it was the desire of the Indian Government to open more and more training institutes so that the cost of finally produced diamonds could be reduced. It was also recommended that the training courses of such institutes should be mentored by International experts and given adequate recognition.
In pursuance of this Government objective, IGEP Trust facilitated the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to set up 3 training centres – Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery in Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur respectively. These institutions are equipped with the facilities to impart training in the context of latest technologies/developments in the gems and jewellery sector. IGEP Trust also helped in the launch of JDTI (Jewellery Design and Training Institute) in Noida, near New Delhi.
IGEP Trust facilitated these training centres to secure the services of qualified and experienced German experts under CIM/GTZ program. Under the able guidance of German experts, the training centres have introduced several short term and long term diploma courses. These experts have also assisted in curriculum development and setting up the necessary infrastructure such as Jewellery Workshop, Design Room, other Machinery/Equipment, Tools etc. As a result of the establishment of these training centres, the gems and jewellery has been strengthened by the supply of highly trained manpower.
