As part of its ongoing efforts to engage with leading skill development institutions and gain deeper insights into emerging workforce trends, the National Skills Network-NSN has launched a series of visits to prominent training centres, educational institutions and industry-linked skill development hubs.
The objective is to better understand the opportunities, challenges, technologies and career pathways shaping India’s evolving skilling ecosystem, while bringing these insights to students, educators, industry stakeholders and policymakers.
As part of this initiative, we from NSN, recently visited the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET): Centre for Skilling and Technical Support (CSTS), Hyderabad, one of India’s leading institutions supporting plastics technology, manufacturing skills and industry-focused technical education.
During the visit, Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder and Director, NSN, and S. Divya Sree, Senior Content Executive, NSN, interacted with Mr. B. Ravi, Principal Director and Head, CIPET: CSTS Hyderabad, Mr. D. Anjaneya Sharma, Manager (Technical), and Mr. B. Srikar, Manager (Technical). The discussions and facility tour provided valuable insights into plastics technology, workforce development, manufacturing careers, entrepreneurship opportunities and the growing demand for skilled talent across the sector.
CIPET: CSTS Hyderabad: Supporting skills, industry and innovation
Established in 1987, CIPET: CSTS Hyderabad has been providing training and technical services to the plastics and allied industries for nearly four decades. The institute is equipped with advanced facilities in plastics processing, mould design, CAD/CAM/CAE, tooling and testing, enabling it to support both industry requirements and workforce development.
The visit offered an opportunity to explore:
- Industry-grade training facilities
- Plastics processing and manufacturing laboratories
- Tool room and testing facilities
- Industry-focused skill development programs
- Technical services and industry support infrastructure
CIPET Hyderabad offers a range of academic programs that prepare students for careers in plastics technology and manufacturing, including:
- Post Graduate Diploma in Plastics Processing & Testing (PGD-PPT)
- Post Diploma in Plastics Mould Design with CAD/CAM (PD-PMD)
- Diploma in Plastics Technology (DPT)
- Diploma in Plastics Mould Technology (DPMT)
The interactions highlighted CIPET’s contribution to developing skilled manpower while supporting industries through consultancy, testing, research and technical services.
Careers in plastics manufacturing and technical education
One of the key takeaways from the discussions was the strong demand for skilled technicians, operators and diploma holders in manufacturing industries.
According to the CIPET team, industries continue to seek trained manpower for a wide range of technical roles. However, attracting students to specialized manufacturing careers remains a challenge despite growing employment opportunities.
The conversations highlighted the need for greater awareness about career pathways in:
- Plastics processing
- Tool and mould making
- Manufacturing operations
- Quality testing
- Production engineering
Hands-on learning and industry exposure
The visit provided a closer look at how students are trained through practical learning and real-world manufacturing exposure. The NSN team observed various stages involved in product development and manufacturing, including mould design, tooling, plastics processing and quality testing.
The experience reinforced the importance of hands-on training in preparing students for industry requirements and highlighted the sophisticated technologies that support modern manufacturing.
Also read: How to build a career in Tool Engineering and Digital Manufacturing with the right skills
Building awareness for future workforce needs
Beyond infrastructure and technology, the discussions emphasized the importance of creating greater awareness about technical and vocational careers. As manufacturing industries continue to expand, bridging the gap between industry demand and student aspirations will be critical.
Visits such as these form an important part of NSN’s efforts to understand the changing landscape of skill development and showcase institutions that are creating meaningful pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and industry engagement.
Institutions such as CIPET play an important role in preparing skilled talent while creating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and industry growth. NSN extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. B. Ravi, Principal Director & Head, CIPET Hyderabad, for sharing his perspectives on skill development, industry demand and workforce readiness. The visit provided valuable insights into the evolving needs of the plastics industry and reinforced the importance of stronger awareness around technical and manufacturing careers.
