Technical education and skills can open doors to diverse career opportunities and help learners build strong, future-ready careers. A strong foundation in practical learning can also create pathways to innovation, entrepreneurship and global opportunities.
In this conversation, Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder-Director, National Skills Network, speaks with Mr. Krish Chari, an NTTF alumnus and founder of Polymer School, based in North Carolina, USA. He shares his journey from technical education and hands-on training to building a global career in tool engineering, molding and polymers, and eventually creating Polymer School to share his knowledge with the next generation.
Below are a few excerpts from our conversation. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.
Q. What made you choose NTTF after completing your engineering?
A. After completing my mechanical engineering, I worked in the industry for a year in Bombay, where I was exposed to injection fixtures. Wanting to gain deeper knowledge of tooling, I chose NTTF, which was well known for its strong reputation in tool engineering. I pursued a two-year Postgraduate Program in Tool Engineering from 1990 to 1992, gaining valuable practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge. This experience gave me the confidence to begin my career in the industry, followed by a year of work in production at NTTF.
Q. How was your experience as an NTTF student, and how did it shape your career journey?
A. Going to NTTF gave me a lot of passion for tool engineering and learning more about design, stamping tools, jigs and fixtures. I then started working in mold making and production, where I also got the opportunity to take the molds for trials. That experience made me realise that I needed to learn more about polymers.
One of the best things about NTTF was that it brought everything together under one roof. The blend of theoretical knowledge and practical training gave me valuable industry exposure and a strong foundation for my career. I then went to London to study polymer science, which helped me build further on what I had learned at NTTF, particularly in design and manufacturing. Around 1994, I was introduced to mold flow, which was still a relatively new field at the time.
Q. What would you consider the most important milestones in your career journey?
A. The first and most important milestone in my career was joining NTTF. For a mechanical engineer, I believe skill development is very important because, to become a good designer, you need to understand the entire manufacturing process.
To become a good designer, it is important to understand the entire manufacturing process, including:
- How the shop floor works
- How machines operate
- The capabilities and limitations of manufacturing processes
- The tolerances that can be maintained
This knowledge can then be applied effectively to design.
After completing my postgraduate program, a colleague and I chose to work in manufacturing before moving into design. This decision became a major turning point in my career. Working in production at NTTF gave me valuable practical experience in manufacturing and tooling, which became a strong foundation for my career growth.
Q. What led you to pursue your career in the US, and how did that journey unfold?
A. I started my career in Canada after studying polymer science in London. I joined Husky Injection Molding, a leading company in the tool-making industry, and began working in design, initially focusing on hot runner design. I later moved into mold flow and product development.
After moving to the US in 1998, I spent nearly 20 years at Husky Injection Molding, gaining experience across different functions:
- Design: Working initially on hot runner design.
- Mold flow: Developing expertise in mold flow analysis.
- Product development: Contributing to product design and development.
- Manufacturing: Understanding production processes and capabilities.
- Sales: Progressing to the role of sales manager in the US.
The strong foundation in manufacturing and tooling that I gained at NTTF gave me the confidence to take on different roles and grow in my career.
Q. What inspired you to start Polymer School?
A. When I was at NTTF, access to digital learning resources was limited. As technology evolved, I saw an opportunity to create a platform where anyone could learn about injection molding for free. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I developed the website and created the content myself, which marked the beginning of Polymer School.
Today, Polymer School is a free learning platform with the following features:
- 115+ free videos accessible to learners worldwide.
- Short learning videos, most around three minutes long, to help learners find answers to specific questions.
- Practical industry insights drawn from my professional experience.
- Free access without advertisements or sponsorships, as part of my effort to give back to the community.
My background in mechanical engineering, NTTF, polymer science and an MBA from the University of North Carolina helped me connect different areas of knowledge and share them through one platform.
Q. How do you see the importance of practical skills in an increasingly AI-driven world?
A. There is a lot of discussion today about AI and whether jobs will be replaced. But I always tell young people entering the field that when you have a skill in your hands, nobody can take that away from you. There is no substitute for practical skills.
What I learned at NTTF has stayed with me throughout my career. Having travelled to more than 35 countries, I have seen different approaches to technical education and industrial training. My experience at NTTF stands out for the comprehensive skill set it provided, combining practical training with a strong foundation in tool engineering and manufacturing.
That was also one of my motivations behind starting Polymer School; to give back to the community and provide the kind of practical knowledge that NTTF has been providing for generations.
Q. Do you also offer face-to-face or hands-on training through Polymer School?
A. Yes, I also provide hands-on training through community colleges and workforce development programs in North Carolina. I work with four to five community colleges, which offer skill-based programs, and they invite me to teach in industries and train people in injection molding. I also work with major companies in North Carolina and across the US, providing practical training in the injection molding field.
Also read: Tool Engineering: Postgraduate Degree for Manufacturing
Q. What advice would you give young people pursuing mechanical engineering?
A. I would encourage young people to consider mechanical engineering because it offers diverse career opportunities and scope for continuous learning. Practical skills remain valuable as technology evolves, including with the growing use of AI.
While AI and computer-related fields attract many young people, it is important to consider long-term career growth. Mechanical engineering offers opportunities to develop specialised skills and work across industries.
In my nearly 38 years in this field, the skills I gained through NTTF and mechanical engineering have continued to be valuable. Tool engineering opens doors to several sectors, including medical, aerospace, automotive, packaging and manufacturing. I believe that developing strong practical skills can help young people build sustainable careers and access opportunities across industries.
