The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), the apex body representing the Indian forging industry, hosted a special session on 'Innovative Technology Solutions and Skill Development' recently in Pune, aimed at addressing the evolving needs of the forging industry. The session brought together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss the latest technological advancements and strategies for upskilling the workforce in the forging sector.

The session saw key discussions on innovative technology solutions and skill development initiatives, highlighting the forging industry’s need to evolve with changing technological trends. 

On the technology side the presentation was made on two topics 1) CNC Skill Development with an Advanced range of CNC Simulators and 2) Revolutionizing Forging: The Impact of 3D Printing technology. 

Regarding skill development, Prof Prabhat Ranjan, Founding Vice Chancellor, D.Y. Patil International University in Akurdi, Pune shared his perspective on “Integrating forging technology into engineering programs and enhancing the skills of industry professionals through strong collaboration between academia and industry 

The event also featured a presentation on Energy Price Risk Management further enriching the discussions around operational efficiency and risk management in the forging industry.

In a rapidly changing technological environment, this event emphasised the necessity for upskilling and adapting to new technologies. The discussions highlighted that to remain competitive; the industry must harness the skills of the youth and foster partnerships between industry and academia. Investment in technology and skill development will be crucial in overcoming the challenges posed by a shortage of high-skilled labour in advanced manufacturing sectors.