India’s CEMS and GRSE launch maritime Skill Development Programme in Kolkata

The Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS) has inaugurated an extension centre at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), as part of GRSE’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The centre was inaugurated at the GRSE Taratala unit by Cmde PR Hari IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, in the presence of Mr Saikat Roychowdhury, Head – Operations, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), and Cdr Gopi Krishna Sivvam IN (Retd.), Chief Operating Officer, CEMS.

CEMS is a high-end skill development initiative set up through a collaboration between India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and IRS. It is dedicated to developing a skilled workforce for India’s maritime sector. GRSE, a premier warship builder under the Ministry of Defence, is one of the country’s leading shipyards and engineering companies.

Through this collaboration, CEMS and GRSE will deliver a specialised Skill Development Programme for youth, providing intensive, hands-on training to create a future-ready workforce for the maritime industry. The centre, located at GRSE’s Technical Training Centre in Taratala, will offer industry-aligned courses designed to ensure direct placement opportunities in shipbuilding and allied sectors.

The six-month programme will train 100 candidates across four high-demand disciplines in marine technology namely Welding, Electrical, Structural Fittings and Pipe Fittings.

Training will comprise three months of shop-floor learning followed by three months of on-the-job training across GRSE facilities.

“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.”

The launch of this training centre reinforces CEMS’ leadership in maritime skill development and highlights the shared commitment of CEMS and GRSE to nurturing skilled professionals who will power the future of India’s maritime economy.