Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. HOWRAH: At a modest workshop-turned-classroom in Howrah, over 150 students celebrated more than just a course completion — they celebrated their first steps into India’s rising manufacturing and design industry.
The Hettich Poddar WoodWorking Institute (HPWWI), in collaboration with PBSSD (Paschim Banga Society for Skill Development), hosted its annual felicitation ceremony for the 2024–2025 batch under the Employment Grant Program.
This year’s cohort includes students from five districts across West Bengal, many of whom happen to be first-generation learners. With a placement rate already crossing 70%, the institute continues to be a springboard for aspirants ready to contribute to modern India’s furniture and interior solutions ecosystem.
“This is not just the beginning of a career — it’s the recognition of skill, perseverance, and the value of craftsmanship,” said Mr. Amit Prasad, Director, HPWWI & Chief Human Resource Officer, Hettich India. “At HPWWI, we believe that every trained professional contributes meaningfully to India's evolving woodworking and manufacturing ecosystem.”
What sets HPWWI apart is its focus on industry-aligned, future-ready skilling. The curriculum combines skill enhancement with the latest carpentry trends, techniques, and technology, all taught under their highly experienced trainers. They also provide hands-on training in modern machine handling including CNCs and pneumatic tools. Aspirants receive financial literacy sessions as well as are exposed to employer-readiness boot camps with mock interviews and group discussions.
A cornerstone of HPWWI’s approach is its collaboration with Government ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes). HPWWI has adopted and upgraded ITIs in select locations, bringing in private-sector expertise, infrastructure modernization, and a strong placement ecosystem to strengthen public vocational education.
Through ITI support, HPWWI has been able to provide the curriculum, course materials, and training programs that help train carpenters in various woodworking techniques. This also includes technical support or facilities that HPWWI can use to enhance the learning experience for students.
The event also marked the presentation of formal offer letters from Hettich India and its industry partners, with a few students being considered for on-site apprenticeships in Bangalore and Pune — a first for this centre.
HPWWI currently operates two centres across India, including one in Faridabad and the newly opened Bhandup centre in Mumbai. Collectively, these centres have trained over 200 students till date, with a target of training 1000 students by 2030, as well as a strong focus on skill development, employability, and inclusive growth.
The institute’s efforts are aligned with national priorities including Skill India, Make in India, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 — fostering dignity in skilled work and rewriting the narrative around vocational training in India.
About HPWWI
The Hettich Poddar WoodWorking Institute (HPWWI) is a CSR-led skilling initiative by Hettich India, focused on bridging the skill gap in the woodworking and furniture fittings sector.
Through close partnerships with government bodies like ITIs and PBSSD, HPWWI empowers young Indians with real-world, industry-ready skills and opens pathways to employment and upward mobility.