Gujarat Government is soon expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Drug Manufacturer's Association (IDMA) Gujarat State Board to set up skill up-gradation centres across the state. By setting up these centres the  Gujarat Government aims to address the issue of lack of skilled workforce in the state as well as in the country.

This was informed by Maheshwar Sahu, principal secretary- Industries and Mines Department, Gujarat, during the Pharmac event concluded recently. He informed that the State Government will be giving  monetary support by providing land, infrastructure etc. whereas IDMA is expected to provide training to the candidates.

Initially, the Government plans to set up these centres in areas which are having a concentration of pharma companies and then gradually set up the centres in other parts of the state.

According to Dr H G Koshia, commissioner, Gujarat State Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA), one of the biggest challenges before the industry today is to address the lack of adequately skilled workforce to meet the increasing demands of the industry.

He said, “Gujarat is seeing a lot of developmental activities with lots of companies setting up their base in the state. But to match its demand we need to have more people who are trained to handle this situation. Our government has duly understood that to get the maximum out of these situation we also need to have a a well trained and qualified workforce.”

He further stressed that people with expertise in the field on pharmaceuticals will always have a great demand in the industry thus it is imperative to bring them all under one roof  to train them according to the industry's demand.

“This is where the IDMA's role comes in. Since it is familiar with the latest trends, changes and demands in the industry it can train the probable candidates as per their needs. This approach will have a two pronged benefit for both the industry and as well as the people enrolling in the centres as both can mutually promote the other from this unique set-up.”

Understanding the important role of IDMA in leading the growth of the generic industry in the country, the government of Gujarat also expressed their interest in working more closely with IDMA by inviting them to be a part of Vibrant Gujarat (VB) 2013. Dr Koshi said that this will lead to better exposure of the Indian pharmaceutical companies to the international market as even Pharmac 2013 is expected to be held during VB.