Mumbai: In a significant step towards enhancing the skilling landscape for Mumbai’s workforce, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has partnered with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to inaugurate a cutting-edge skill development centre in Kandivali, Mumbai. Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the landmark initiative was formally launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.
Addressing the event, Piyush Goyal dedicated the centre to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a skilled and self-reliant India. “Within just six days of its launch, this centre has already facilitated employment for 700 individuals, highlighting its immediate impact. Over the next year, it is expected to create job opportunities for 1 lakh candidates across multiple sectors,” said Goyal. He emphasized that the centre will play a crucial role in equipping young people with the skills needed for a rapidly evolving job market, bridging the gap between education and employment.
Maharashtra’s Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, praised the swift establishment of the centre, stating, “We have built this state-of-the-art facility in just 44 days, and it will offer opportunities to thousands of individuals from across Mumbai and beyond.” The centre’s modern infrastructure, located in Akurli Village, Kandivali East, includes a five-story building covering a built-up area of 3,440 square meters.
The newly opened vocational training institute will initially offer specialized short-term courses in high-demand sectors such as fashion technology, air conditioning and refrigeration, gaming and animation, quick service restaurants, and data and cyber security. The courses are designed to adapt based on industry feedback and evolving workforce needs.
NSDC’s Executive Vice President, Ajay Kumar Raina, described the collaboration as a “pivotal milestone” in India’s journey to becoming a global skills hub, emphasizing the centre’s role in aligning opportunities with professional aspirations and broader economic goals.
A key feature of the initiative is its commitment to employment outcomes, with industry partners such as CII, NASSCOM, and various sector skill councils providing training at nominal costs. CII has equipped the facility with advanced labs and has pledged to ensure at least 75% employment for successful candidates post-training. During the event, offer letters were distributed to 20 candidates from the first batch of 500 beneficiaries.
The centre will be operated under the guidance of CII’s Centre of Excellence on Employment & Livelihood and the CII Green Business Centre, maintaining high training standards. NSDC will provide bi-annual reports to BMC, tracking training completion and employment outcomes to ensure the program’s success.
