Staff Reporter –
The Water Management & Plumbing Skill Council (WMPSC) organised the Industry Conclave 2026 at Biswa Bangla Exhibition Centre, Kolkata, bringing together government representatives, industry leaders, academia, training institutions, skill development organisations and other stakeholders to deliberate on the future of skilling and workforce development in the water and plumbing sector.
Held under the theme “Roadmap of Skilling towards Viksit Bharat”, with the overarching message “Building a Water-Secure, Skill-Ready India – Drop by Drop, Skill by Skill,” the conclave focused on strengthening industry-led skilling, professionalising the water and plumbing workforce, expanding apprenticeship opportunities and creating pathways for Indian skilled professionals to compete in global markets.
The conclave was graced by Shri Jagannath Chattopadhyay, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Higher Education and Technical Education, Training and Skill Development Department, Government of West Bengal, as the Chief Guest.
Skilled Workforce Critical to India’s Water Security
Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Minister highlighted the often-underrecognised role of skilled water and plumbing technicians in ensuring the successful installation, operation, maintenance and sustainability of India’s water infrastructure.
“Skilling this workforce is not simply a human resource issue. It is a water security issue. It is a public health issue. It is an infrastructure issue. And it is an economic productivity issue.”
The Minister called for a fundamental shift in how the profession is perceived, urging stakeholders to transform plumbers and water technicians from informal workers into skilled professionals. He emphasised that the quality of water infrastructure depends not only on pipes, pumps, valves and technologies, but equally on the skill of the people who install, operate and maintain them.
The Hon’ble Minister further stressed that the objective of the skilling ecosystem must go beyond simply increasing the number of trained people.
“Our objective must be to create people who are: Skilled. Certified. Productive. Employable. And globally competitive.”
“The aspiration must be that an Indian water or plumbing technician is capable of working to the same standards expected anywhere in the world.”
From Bengal to India and India to the World
The conclave highlighted the opportunity for West Bengal to emerge as a major hub for specialised water and plumbing skills, leveraging its technical education ecosystem, ITIs, young population and strategic position as the gateway to eastern and northeastern India.
A key focus was the proposed Centre of Excellence for Water Management and Plumbing at Gariahat ITI, being developed through collaboration between the Government of West Bengal, WMPSC and industry partners.
The proposed Centre of Excellence is envisioned as a platform for advanced training, industry-led curricula, modern plumbing and water technologies, assessment and certification, apprenticeship and on-the-job learning, training of trainers, technology transfer, innovation, knowledge exchange and international benchmarking.
Emphasising the larger significance of the initiative, the Hon’ble Minister said:
“We should think of it as a Bengal-based national institution with global ambitions.”
The Centre is envisioned to train young people from West Bengal, upgrade the existing workforce, serve eastern India and, over time, contribute skilled manpower to the country and international markets.
Chairman Calls for a Future-Ready Water Workforce
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Harsh Agrawal, Chairman, Water Management & Plumbing Skill Council, said:
“A water-secure India requires not only world-class infrastructure and technology, but also a world-class workforce to build, operate and sustain it. The WMPSC Industry Conclave is an important platform for bringing government, industry and the skilling ecosystem together to create meaningful pathways for skill development, employment and professional recognition. The proposed Centre of Excellence at Gariahat ITI represents our shared commitment to building a future-ready water and plumbing workforce from Bengal for India and the world.”
Skilling for India’s Growing Water Infrastructure
The conclave underlined the growing requirement for skilled professionals as India expands its water and urban infrastructure.
The Hon’ble Minister highlighted the importance of skilled manpower in supporting national missions such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT, noting that the work does not end once a pipeline is laid. The long-term success of water infrastructure depends on its continued efficient and reliable operation and maintenance.
At the same time, the rapid growth of smart water systems, water treatment and reuse, wastewater management, rainwater harvesting, water-efficient plumbing, digital monitoring, energy-efficient systems and sustainable construction is creating demand for a new generation of technically skilled professionals.
Industry Must Define the Skills of Tomorrow
The Minister called upon industry to play a stronger role in shaping the future of the sector by working closely with WMPSC on industry-aligned curricula, modern training infrastructure, training of trainers, apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, assessment and certification, placement opportunities and international pathways.
The address also emphasised the need to reposition apprenticeship from a statutory requirement to a genuine talent acquisition and career development strategy, encouraging companies to train and mentor young people and provide them with meaningful career pathways.
The Hon’ble Minister also encouraged young people to view skilled trades as professional careers, highlighting that a skilled technician can become a professional, entrepreneur or employer and, with the right skills and certification, can work across India and the world.
Recognising the People Behind Every Drop
