A Historic Milestone in Cabinet Making India reached a significant milestone at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, where Rajesh Sharma earned the nation’s first-ever Medallion of Excellence in Cabinet Making. Competing in three trades—Carpentry, Cabinet Making, and Joinery—India’s participants showcased exceptional talent, marking a new chapter in the country’s journey toward global recognition in skill development.
The Furniture & Fittings Skill Council (FFSC) has played a key role in this transformative journey. As the dedicated Sector Skill Council for the Furniture, Interior, and Allied sectors, FFSC has been instrumental in identifying, training, and preparing India's top talents for the global stage. By working closely with industry partners, FFSC has ensured participants receive world-class training, mentorship, and resources, paving the way for their success at WorldSkills.
A major contributor to this achievement has been the support of organizations such as PACWPS Ahmedabad, Iraj Evolution Design Company Pvt Ltd (IEVO) Udaipur, and Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology Bengaluru, which generously provided state-of-the-art training facilities. Numerous industry leaders also stepped up, offering essential tools, equipment, and expertise, helping competitors like Rajesh Sharma excel at WorldSkills.
Special recognition goes to Ashok Jangir, whose tireless dedication played a key role in this victory and earned him selection as one of the two Lead WorldSkills Experts for 2024. Congratulations to Rajesh Sharma for his outstanding achievement in Cabinet Making!
We also want to acknowledge Gulshan Kumar, our competitor in Joinery, who narrowly missed a Medallion of Excellence by just six marks. His efforts, along with the unwavering support from Narender Singh (WorldSkills India Expert for Joinery) and FFSC trainers Keshar Singh Rajput (Indian Cabinet Making Competitor 2019) and Hrithik Patra (India Skills Winner 2022), have been invaluable.
A special mention also goes to Rahul Vishwakarma, our competitor in Carpentry, and Binu Bhaskaran, whose dedication shone through in a trade that, while familiar, brought new challenges at the world level.
WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon, France, also saw the strong participation of FFSC leadership, including Co-Chairperson Nandkishor Mistry, CEO Rahul Mehta, and key team members PC Nair, Dinesh Kumar, and Keshar Singh Rajput, whose presence boosted the morale of the competitors and reinforced India's commitment to skill excellence. This historic achievement marks a new era in India's pursuit of global excellence in skill development. FFSC remains committed to fostering talent, providing top-tier training, and supporting India's workforce on their journey to world-class recognition.
PWP, Ahmedabad (Pidilite Skill Initiative) is actively engaged in advanced skilling through various shorand long-term programs. On June 12, 2024, PWP and FFSC (Furniture & Fittings Skill Council) signed a MoU. Dr. PK Shukla, Senior Vice President of CSR & Special Projects at Pidilite Industries, and Mr. Rahul Mehta, CEO of FFSC, signed and exchanged the MoU in the presence of team members from both organizations. This MoU designates PWP as a Center of Excellence for the furniture and fittings sector.
The primary objective is to provide advanced training in woodworking modules and to certify practicing carpenters, FCC members, WWT students, and professionals through FFSC and Skill India Mission.
As a CoE, PWP will serve as FFSC’s academic partner and will play multiple roles, including acting as a Research & Development Unit, Skill Testing Centre, support system for other skilling partners, Advanced Training Centre, World Skills Academy for woodworking trades, and Production Assistance Centre.
WorldSkills International, founded in 1950, unites youth, industries, and educators from 88 countries to excel in trades and technologies. Govt. of India has been participating in these competitions since 2011. In 2024, approximately 2,50,000 candidates registered, and 900 reached the national level (Indiaskills) after progressing through district, zonal, state, and pre-national competitions.
PWP supported Govt. of Gujarat in conducting district to state level Skill competitions in Gujarat in Carpentry and Plumbing Skills, participated by 345 candidates. Finally, in the state level Skills competition, 4 Gold Medal winners were declared in Carpentry, Cabinet making, Joinery and Plumbing & Heating. PWP along with FFSC organized a professional training to train 10 gold medallists of different States (Gujarat, UP, Haryana, TN, Odisha and Karnataka) for participating in National Level Competitions, Indiaskills 2024, covering various aspects such as drawing, wooden joints, machining, assessment criteria, and competition strategy ensuring a professional approach required for international level competitions. PWP-trained candidates won 6 medals (1 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze) in woodworking trades at Indiaskills 2024 held from May 14th to 19th in New Delhi. The NSDC, FFSC as well as State Skill Missions from various State Govts. praised Pidilite's skill initiatives and PWP's achievements at Indiaskills 2024. The winners were awarded cash prizes of Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 75,000, and Rs. 50,000 for Gold, Silver, and Bronze, respectively along with Certificates.
Dr Narender (PWP Centre Head) has been associated with WorldSkills International as a National Expert-Joinery, was also nominated as the Chief Expert for the joinery trade at Indiaskills 2024 and represented Pidilite at the Indiaskills platform. Furthermore, Pidilite and FFSC are also training National Gold medallist Mr. Gulshan Kumar Sharma at PWP, Ahmedabad and preparing him for WorldSkills 2024 to be held in Lyon, France, scheduled for September 2024.
This is a significant accomplishment not only for the medal winners associated with carpenter families but also as an inspiration for the youth to join the woodworking sector in the future.
Mr. Rahul Mehta, CEO- Furniture & Fittings Skill Council with Team Jury & Competitors.
Mr. Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, addressed in Closing Ceremony Indiaskills
The IndiaSkills Competition 2024, the country's premier skill event started from May 15th to 19th, 2024, at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. Total of 34 #SkillStars participated among 3 trade Cabinet Making, Joinery & Carpentry. The skill stars demonstrated exceptional skills, creativity, and dedication. Congratulations to all the champions and the participants! Your hard work and passion inspire us all to pursue excellence.
The winners of the IndiaSkills 2024 competition!
FFSC would like to thank its #SkillAmbassadors Caple Industrial Solutions, ADLERWUD , Ajit Industries Pvt. Ltd., Bhagwan Saw Mill, @MVS Global and @Sharp Gold for supporting us in organizing the IndiaSkills competition 2024.
Track 2 competition for India Skill was held in Delhi for Cabinet Making and Carpentry with the support from Caple.
Registration is open for the IndiaSkills 2023. IndiaSkills is a prestigious competition that showcases the skills and talents of individuals across various vocational trades and professions. An excellent opportunity for participants to demonstrate their expertise and compete at various levels.
Eligibility for Competitors must be born on or after 1 January 2002 to participate in the Cabinet Making, Joinery, and Carpentry skills categories. Last date of registration is 20th December 2023.
Registration is open for the IndiaSkills 2023. IndiaSkills is a prestigious competition that showcases the skills and talents of individuals across various vocational trades and professions. An excellent opportunity for participants to demonstrate their expertise and compete at various levels. Eligibility for Competitors must be born on or after 1 January 2002 to participate in the Cabinet Making, Joinery, and Carpentry skills categories. Last date of registration is 30th November 2023.
WorldSkills Competitors from around the world have been chosen to serve as ambassadors in 2023 to 2024.
Selected from more than 70 applications, the new WorldSkills Champions Trust representatives for 2023 to 2024 have been officially announced.
Eight new members from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania will join three returning representatives in the Trust. Together, the former WorldSkills Competitors will become ambassadors of the WorldSkills movement, advocating for the benefit of skills to improve individuals, communities, and countries.
Representing every corner of the globe, they are as diverse as the skills and regions they represent. Their selection process considered a range of factors including their skills sectors, sectors or Members already represented, and gender parity.
During their two-year term, they will develop their connections to a global community that believes passionately in inspiring and supporting young people to pursue a skill. The role will broaden their network, deepen their communications skills, and provide insight into how WorldSkills works outside of their experience as a Competitor.
In the last year, Champions Trust representatives spoke at multiple high-level international events and had a leading role at WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition.
Source: WorldSkills.org
Our Skill Stars were in action at WorldSkills 2022 Special Edition which was held in Basel, Switzerland. They competed in Cabinet Making, Carpentry and Joinery trades.
Competition Schedule
10.10.2022: Opening Ceremony
11 – 14 October 2022: Competition
15.10.2022: Closing Ceremony
Our Skill star participated in the competition with great spirit and enthusiasm.
As candidates prepare to compete against the finest in the world at 46th WorldSkills Competition 2022, the largest skills competition in the world, a strong 58-member Indian delegation received a grand “Vijayi Bhava” send-off ceremony in New Delhi on September 22, 2022. The competitors will showcase their skills in 52 Skills/trades across 15 countries, including the USA, Europe, Korea, and Japan.
India cheers for its ‘WorldSkills India Team' at their Send-off ceremony as they prepare to compete at the WorldSkills2022 competition. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Electronics & Information Technology. Motivated the competitors to perform their best & wished them luck.
Chief National Coach for India’s National Badminton Team and former Indian badminton player, Mr. Pullela Gopichand addressed the competitors & wishing them good luck in ‘WorldSkills India Team' at their Send-off ceremony.
Furniture & Fittings Skill Council (FFSC) is a Not-for-Profit organization, registered under societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.