NASHIK: The Nashik Zonal Council of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is planning to focus on skill development among industrial workers. As part of the initiative, it is also considering joining hands with local engineering and management colleges, said Nishikant Ahire, the newly appointed chairman of Nashik Zonal Council of CII for 2014-15.
Speaking to TOI, Ahire said, “My focus will be on inclusive growth of industries, creating employment opportunities among the graduates and develop skills of industrial workers. The industrial sector in Nashik is already facing shortage of skilled manpower. Hence, my focus will be on skill development. We are also planning to join hands with educational institutes in the city like engineering and management colleges for the purpose.”
“We are approaching the industries to contribute in the project under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Moreover, we are also focusing on innovation in manufacturing technology thereby creating business opportunities for the local industries. At present, the industrial sector is facing a slowdown and the growth of local industries has been affected by up to 10-40%. The slowdown has hit automobile companies and concerned ancillary units at large. However, we are expecting inclusive growth in the coming financial year,” he said.
“We would follow up the issue with the state government for providing affordable housing. The real estate prices have increased a lot in the past few years and this is also affecting the industrial sector. At a time when the real estate sector is facing a slowdown, the state government has increased the ready reckoner rates at large.”
Ahire is the chairman of AMT groups of industries and has also worked with various industrial associations. He was the president of Nashik Industries & Manufacturers’ Association (NIMA) during 2007-08. While Ahire has been appointed the chairman of Nashik Zonal Council of CII, Radhashyam Kedia is the new vice-chairman of the council.
[THE TIMES OF INDIA]
