Construction Skills Training Expands as Knauf India and Pratham Open Vijayawada Academy

Shray Mehndiratta, CFO, Knauf India, and Rajesh Thokle, Program Director, Pratham Education Foundation, outline a 45 day training programme in drywall and false ceiling installation, with approximately 100 trainees expected in the first year.

Knauf India has opened a Training Academy in Vijayawada in collaboration with Pratham Education Foundation to provide vocational training in drywall and false ceiling installation.
The initiative aims to prepare candidates for employment opportunities in construction, real estate, interior development and related sectors through technical instruction and practical experience.
The academy will offer a 45 day training programme combining classroom instruction with practical installation exercises and learning based on construction site requirements.
Candidates aged 18 years and above will be eligible to participate, with approximately 100 trainees expected to enrol during the first year.

The curriculum will include modules aligned with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), workplace safety procedures and practical techniques used in drywall and ceiling installation.
Participants will receive instruction intended to improve their understanding of modern construction systems and prepare them for technical roles, including opportunities associated with site supervision.
The programme responds to the growing use of specialised building systems in India’s construction and real estate industries, where installation skills and familiarity with safety practices are increasingly relevant.

Shray Mehndiratta, CFO, Knauf India, said, “At Knauf, we see skilling as a strategic investment in the future of India’s construction industry. As modern building systems gain momentum, the need for a capable, future-ready workforce becomes even more critical. Through our partnership with Pratham, the Vijayawada Academy will help build technical expertise at the grassroots level, create pathways to meaningful employment, and contribute to the long-term development of a stronger, more resilient construction ecosystem.”
The collaboration brings together Knauf India’s experience in drywall and ceiling systems with Pratham Education Foundation’s work in vocational education and employment preparation.
Pratham will contribute its experience in delivering practical training programmes aimed at helping young people acquire skills relevant to workplace requirements.

Rajesh Thokle, Program Director, Pratham Education Foundation, said, “Through this partnership, we aim to equip young people with practical, industry-relevant skills that can improve their employment readiness and open up opportunities in the construction sector.”
The Vijayawada facility follows an earlier training initiative undertaken by Knauf India and Pratham in Gorakhpur.
With the new academy, the organisations are extending their collaboration to another location where candidates can receive structured training in specialised construction activities.
The programme places emphasis on practical installation methods, technical understanding and workplace safety rather than classroom instruction alone.

By focusing on drywall and false ceiling systems, the academy seeks to address the need for workers familiar with construction methods used in residential, commercial and interior development projects.
The first year will provide an initial opportunity to train approximately 100 participants through the 45 day programme.
The initiative is intended to help candidates develop skills relevant to construction employment while providing the sector with a potential source of trained workers.

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