The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), the apex body representing the Indian forging industry, recently hosted a successful session on ‘Current Industry Scenario, Innovative Technology & Skill Development’ in New Delhi. This event marks the second such session, following a highly successful gathering in Pune that focused on similar themes. The session brought together industry leaders, experts, and decision-makers from various sectors, including CEOs, COOs, CFOs, Plant Heads, HR Heads and other functional heads, to discuss the latest technological advancements and strategies for upskilling the workforce in the forging industry.

The session featured three insightful presentations, covering the current industry scenario, energy price risk management, and skill development. It highlighted the critical need for embracing technological innovations and making substantial investments in workforce skill development to drive growth in the forging sector. The key takeaway was the importance of fostering closer collaboration between industry and academia to create curricula that align with the latest technological advancements, ensuring the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to excel in an ever-evolving industry landscape.

Prof (Dr) Raj Nehru, Vice Chancellor, Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, Government of Haryana shared how Shri Vishwakarma Skill University is forging industry and academia collaborations which is so vital for building a workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet industry demands. Prof. Nehru also shared various industry-aligned curricula being offered to the industry to bridge the education-industry gap. 

Hemal N Thakkar, Senior Practice Leader and Director,  CRISIL Market Intelligence & Analytics presented the current industry scenario and highlighted the opportunities emerging in defence and aerospace sectors. 

The event also featured the importance of energy price risk management and the challenges of navigating volatile energy prices amidst global disruptions. 

The session also highlighted India’s remarkable manufacturing revival, driven by strategic government initiatives, which presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. Rapid technological advancements, geopolitical conflicts, and regulatory complexities are creating hurdles for the industry. A key issue is the skills mismatch in advanced manufacturing, which calls for greater investment in vocational training to meet the demands of the industry.

Overall, the session reinforced the need for stronger collaboration between industry and academia, particularly in integrating forging technology into engineering curricula and upskilling the workforce. The event highlighted the urgency of investing in technology and skill development to bridge the gap in high-skilled labour and support India’s growth in advanced manufacturing. AIFI’s proactive approach in addressing these challenges positions collaboration, innovation, and skill development as essential drivers for the forging industry’s future growth.