In its endeavour to upscale skills in India’s gem and jewellery sector, Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) has entered into MoUs with various organisations and the government. It has signed a MoU with Government of West Bengal and the Surat Diamond Association, which would certify 70,000 artisans and workers under their Recognition to Prior Learning (RPL) scheme, reports say.

The RPL certificate is a recognition to the skills of a worker, who has not had any formal training, but is has learnt skills on the job. This certificate is granted after assessing the skills. The RPL can prove to be a major development in encouraging skill development.

While the agreement with the West Bengal government as signed last month, it prevailed over 50,000 workers of the sector. The MoU with the SDA was finalised this month and will cover a pilot project with 20,000 workers in the diamond cutting and polishing industry in Surat, which will be upgraded later.