This isn’t just another training program—it’s a strategic bet on India’s maritime future. The Centre for Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS), in partnership with state-run shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), is launching a six-month intensive training program for 100 young professionals. The goal? To bridge the skills gap in shipbuilding and allied sectors with hands-on, industry-aligned training.
Located at GRSE’s Technical Training Centre in Taratala, the program will focus on four critical disciplines: welding, electrical work, structural fittings, and pipe fittings. These aren’t theoretical courses. The first three months will be shop-floor learning, followed by three months of on-the-job training across GRSE facilities. This is where rubber meets the road—where trainees will work on real projects, under real conditions, with real stakes.
“This partnership with GRSE marks an important step in our mission to bridge the skills gap in the maritime industry,” said Cdr Gopi Krishna Sivvam IN (Retd.), Chief Operating Officer, CEMS. “By combining CEMS’ training expertise with GRSE’s strong industrial base, we aim to provide young professionals with practical, industry-relevant skills that will open doors to sustainable careers and strengthen India’s shipbuilding capabilities.”
This collaboration is more than just a training initiative—it’s a talent pipeline for India’s growing maritime sector. With the government pushing for a $200 billion shipbuilding industry by 2030, the demand for skilled labor is only going to rise. Programs like this ensure that when the industry scales, the workforce is ready to scale with it.
The real test will be in placement rates. If CEMS and GRSE can demonstrate that graduates from this program are not just job-ready but industry-ready, this model could become a blueprint for other sectors. It’s a high-stakes gamble, but one that could pay off in spades for India’s maritime ambitions.