SKF India launches first SEED Centre in Pune to train 100 youth for manufacturing jobs

SKF India (Industrial) Limited has launched its first SKF Employability & Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) Centre in Jadhavwadi, Chikhali, Pune, with an initial target of training 100 young people for employment in the manufacturing sector.

The centre has been established in partnership with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), Tata STRIVE and Bosch India Foundation. It aims to bridge the gap between vocational training and industry requirements by preparing young people for shopfloor technician and industrial electrician roles.

The first cohort will undergo a 300-hour training programme covering technical skills, communication, soft skills, digital literacy and AI awareness. Participants will also receive placement support upon completing the programme.

The initiative is open to candidates with a minimum educational qualification of Class 10, with specific efforts to encourage women to pursue careers in manufacturing.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Sujeeth Pai, Managing Director, SKF India (Industrial), said, “India’s manufacturing ambitions need more than infrastructure, they need skilled, confident people who can thrive on tomorrow’s shopfloor. With SEED, we are bringing industry, government and development partners together to turn aspiration into employability through hands-on technical learning, digital and AI readiness, recognised certification and placement support. It is a pathway to opportunity, inclusion and a stronger industrial ecosystem.”

Under the partnership, PCMC will provide infrastructure and local ecosystem support, Tata STRIVE will contribute its youth skilling and employability expertise, while Bosch India Foundation will support specialised shopfloor training, trainer development and candidate assessments.

SKF India (Industrial) plans to establish its second SEED facility in Bavla, Ahmedabad, in December 2026, with the aim of expanding the programme to other manufacturing centres.