KOCHI: Jewellers in the state are all set to go professional with the introduction of training programmes by the Indian chapter of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This is good news for the jewellery industry which is battling recession as these courses will equip them with business acumen to boost their sales. The proposed KINFRA Gem and Jewellery Park at Kalamassery will also have a training institute which will have several training programmes in cutting, designing and jewellery-making. Once major projects like Gold Souk becomes operational, there will be a lot of demand for jewellery designing and making. As the first step GIA is conducting a five-day course in the city starting on May 18. The course fee is Rs 30,000.
The institute is also planning to conduct crash courses all over the state.
“You need to know the jewels and how to sell it. And that require training,’’ says Nirupa Bhat, managing director, India and Gulf, GIA. Nirupa was in the city to meet the representatives of the Kerala Gold and Silver Jewellers Association to start a series of basic courses for salesmen and marketing executives in the state.
She was surprised to know that at least one family member of most jewellers had undergone a course with GIA. “I’ve been meeting representatives and the interactions have been fruitful. We have a diamond testing laboratory in Mumbai which is the only one of its kind in the country. Earlier diamonds were sent to the United Sates for testing but once the centre became operational in India, it became easy for most jewellers,’’ she said.
Nirupa made it clear that they are not planning to set up any centre right now, but will do so if there is a good response.
The Accredited Jewellery Professional (AJP) diploma programme is designed to prepare people for sales. The focus will be on critical product knowledge and proven sales techniques. The AJP programme offers everything one needs to know to sell diamonds, coloured stones and jewellery.
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