A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
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SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
Page 1
SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
COVER STORY: CHAPTER 1
LSSSDC AND PHARMACY COUNCIL OF INDIA (PCI) TO LAUNCH “PHARMACEUTICAL
INDUSTRIAL SKILLS ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM” (PISAP)
LSSSDC and Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) have joined hands to enhance skills of Pharmacy students.
This will make them more job ready for the Life Sciences sector, and provide organisations with a
more productive, higher quality workforce. A meeting chaired by DR. B Suresh, President PCI and Mr.
Satish Reddy, Chairman, LSSSDC with the 30 pharmacy colleges selected by PCI was held in New Delhi
on Aug 1, 2019 to discuss the proposal of launching Pharmaceutical Industrial Skills Advancement
Program (PISAP). The meeting was also attended by LSSSDC’s GB members Mr. B R Sikri, Mr. P K
Gupta, Dr. Shubnum Singh and Mr. Ranjit Madan along with LSSSDC’s core team.
All the Principals of 30 pharmacy consented to the need of program and appreciated the benefits.
The meeting was subsequently followed by PCI’s Central Council meeting in Chennai on Aug 6, 2019.
Our CEO, Mr. Ranjit Madan addressed the over 60 members. After deliberation, Central Council of
PCI unanimously approved the proposal to launch ‘PISAP’ as an embedded program within Pharmacy
curriculum. As an outcome, selected skilling modules will be made available as electives to students
pursuing D.Pharma, B. Pharma and M. Pharma in their final year—with scores from electives taken to
count towards the final score. In addition, students will be encouraged to take up Apprenticeship. In
case of M. Pharma, present research part in 2nd year may be replaced by Apprenticeship.
Mr. Satish Reddy and Dr. B Suresh during the 1st meeting of LSSSDC and PCI with Principals of selected
Pharmacy Colleges at PCI, New Delhi
Mr. Ranjit Madan with Dr. B Suresh and EC Members of PCI during PCI’s Central Council Meeting in Chennai
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
Page 2
SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
COVER STORY: CHAPTER 2
DCGI REQUEST INDUSTRY TO ENGAGE APPRENTICE IN PHARMA AND BIOPHARMA
MANUFACTURING UNITS
In a recent advisory circular issued on 12th September 2019 by DCGI, CDSCO under MoHFW, Govt. of
India, Dr. V J Somani, DCGI has advised Pharmaceuticals and Biopharmaceutical manufacturing units
to comply with Apprenticeship Act, 1961 under which the new scheme National Apprenticeship
Promotion Scheme (NAPS) was launched to promote apprenticeship training and increase
engagement of apprentices.
https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Notifications/Public-Notices/
This is one of its kind advisory released by any Industry regulator to promote the Apprenticeship act.
Mr. Ranjit Madan, CEO, LSSSDC has stated that since Mr. Sudhansh Pant, Joint Secretary- MoHFW has
joined the governing board of LSSSDC, alignment of LSSSDC with its Line Ministry, MoHFW has been
further strengthened. This is resulting in all stakeholders, including both ministries from Govt. of
India (MSDE and MoHFW) working towards achieving the vision of India becoming ‘Skill Capital of
World’, with the country having already attained the status of ‘Pharmacy of the World’ under the
tremendous work done by MoHFW along with Indian Life Sciences Industry.
The advisory released by DCGI, the Indian Drug Regulator, promotes enrolment of apprentices in
manufacturing units even for the job roles demanding graduate and post graduate qualifications. This
will ensure continuous stream of quality skilled professionals by bridging current skill gaps in fresh
candidates and bring about better compliance with good manufacturing practices.
As a result of advisory and efforts of apprenticeship team of LSSSDC, many new industries from large
mid and small segments have come on board with LSSSDC for Apprenticeship. For FY 2019/20, 1800
Apprentices have been successfully placed with the industries as at end September, making a total
of 4000+ since the mandate to LSSSDC from MSDE.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
Page 3
SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
COVER STORY: CHAPTER 3
THREE (3) NEW QUALIFICATIONS FOR LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR GETS QRC
APPROVAL
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council (LSSSDC) has secured the Quality Review Committee
(QRC) approval for the newly developed job roles namely Bioinformatics Associate/ Analyst,
Bioinformatics Scientist, and Pharmacovigilance Associate.
The two Bioinformatics based new qualifications are targeting future skills required by Life Sciences
Industry using Big Data technologies. As an impact of Industry 4.0, Bioinformatics occupation has
evolved from a niche or rare job role in Drug Discovery department to a larger business segment in
the Life Sciences Industry. Bioinformatics Analyst, in particular, is a high demand job role with a 50%
YoY rise in the fresh Skill resource requirement in the Industry.
The Pharmacovigilance Associate is a job role with strong demand by Industry with the increased
reach of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) under MoHFW. LSSSDC had been associated
with PvPI since 2017 to develop the National Occupational Standards for Pharmacovigilance Associate
and has finally achieved this objective.
Mr. Anshul Saxena, Director- Standards and Training Advisory has briefed that the new qualifications
have extensive and detailed inputs of Industry and will launch these qualifications after approval of
National Skill Qualification Committee (NSQC), in December 2019.Candidates skilled on these new
job roles are expected to be job ready and employable with enough employment opportunity in the
Life Sciences sector.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
Page 4
SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
COVER STORY: CHAPTER 4
QUALIFICATION PACKS 2.0: REVALIDATION WORKSHOPS ORGANIZED BY
LSSSDC ACROSS PAN INDIA
The first Industry defined and validated Indian Qualification Packs and National Occupational
Standards of Life Sciences Sector were launched in 2015. After 4 years of implementation of the Skill
Development initiatives, LSSSDC is currently reviewing, rationalizing, revising and revalidating the
Qualifications—with Industry input.
In this exercise, LSSSDC has rationalized 50 Qualifications to 37 elective based qualifications. The
Standards team of LSSSDC has started getting qualification packs reviewed by the industry PAN India,
covering major clusters in Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Qualification Packs for
these 37 job roles in occupations of Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, R&D and Supply Chain are currently
being revalidated and reviewed by industry experts.
Glimpse of Industry Validation Workshops for Qualification Pack 2.0
Post completion of Industry revalidation which is expected to be completed within Q3 of 2019-20,
the qualification packs will be presented to Line Ministries like MoHFW, DBT for mandatory approval
and subsequently presented to National Skill Qualification Committee (MSDE) for approval of the new
qualifications.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
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SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
EVENTS UPDATE
WORKSHOP WITH INDUSTRY AND TRAINING PARTNERS FOR SKILLING IN LIFE
SCIENCES SECTOR ORGANIZED BY APSSDC IN COLLABORATION WITH LSSSDC
ON 9 JULY 2019
Glimpse of APSSSDC & LSSSDC Focused Group Discussion and Industry Academia Conference
Life Sciences Sector is a prominent contributor to Andhra Pradesh GDP, Exports and employment
generation. In this backdrop APSSDC, in collaboration with LSSSDC, invited Life Sciences Industry and
Academic experts and principals of Colleges in AP State to discuss the Skill Development and
employment generation opportunities in the sector in AP State— on 9th July 2019. The meeting was
chaired by MD, APSSDC.
The discussion was focused on need assessment to prepare unemployed youth of state and the
students enrolled in Pharmacy and Sciences subjects at Graduation and Post-Graduation level for jobs
in Life Sciences Sector in the state.
This was followed by a one day conference on Industry-Academia Connect in Life Sciences Sector on
21st August 2019 in Amravati. The conference was attended by prominent Industries like Hetero Labs,
Suven Life Sciences, Neuland Laboratories, Nakoda Pharma, Umed Pharma, SMS Pharmaceuticals and
Academic and Skilling Institutions/ Partners like Synchroserve, Nalanda, Inception, Crystal
Management Services, Yontus Life Sciences, Pharma Pathshala, Sree Technologies, and Nihar Skill
Education. Additionally, the conference was also attended by 40 Pharmacy and Life Sciences
Graduation and Post-Graduation Colleges from state of Andhra Pradesh.
Post this conference APSSSDC has selected few select colleges to start a pilot for Skill Development
in Life Sciences Sector.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
Page 6
SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
APPRENTICESHIP WORKSHOP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KDPMA FOR LIFE
SCIENCES INDUSTRY PLAYER IN BANGALORE CLUSTER, 22 AUGUST 2019
Industry representatives in Bengaluru Cluster Workshop on NAPS
LSSSDC in Association with the KDPMA Organized an Apprenticeship workshop with Small and Mid-
scale industry focused on National Apprenticeship Promotion scheme (NAPS). More than 25 industries
participated in the workshop alongside organisations already enrolled under NAPS.
Industry Partners engaged in NAPs shared their (positive) experiences with others.
Alongside, Mr Ranjit Madan, Chief Executive Officer and Joint Apprenticeship Advisor, Life Sciences
Sector shared his views on the benefits of the NAPS and its importance to the industry. Mr Alok Jha,
Cluster Head presented a live demonstration for NAPS portal management which includes
Registration, Attendance, Payroll management and contract creations, etc to the industry.
Anthem Biosciences, Jubilant Generics, Group Pharmaceuticals, Stride's pharma, Medorganics, Ontop
Pharma, Geltech were amongst industries that join the workshop held at Bengaluru. Academics
institutions like Padmashree Institute of Management Studies and MS Ramhia college of Arts sciences
and commerce also participate in the same to spread awareness on apprenticeship opportunities
among college students.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
Page 7
SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
APPRENTICESHIP WORKSHOP FOR LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY PLAYER IN
AURANGABAD CLUSTER, 17TH SEPT 2019
Industry representatives during Aurangabad Cluster Workshop on NAPS
Major players in Life Sciences industry of Aurangabad participated in the event held in Aurangabad
and discussed the revisions in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) scheme. Many
industries showed interest in participating in NAPS scheme.
Fresh skilling opportunities were also discussed during the meeting and industries shared their
requirement wit MIT, our accredited TP in Aurangabad.
Sachin Sachdeva, Joint Director, LSSSDC also informed that to train the underprivileged youth in and
around Aurangabad, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) option could be leveraged. Mr. Sachdeva
shared that as an immediate step, separate proposal related to this has been submitted to industries.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
Page 8
SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
CII ANNUAL LIFE SCIENCES CONCLAVE AT MUMBAI, 17TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Glimpse from CII Annual life Sciences Conclave & Mr Ranjit Madan,CEO,LSSSDC addressing Summit in Mumbai
LSSSDC Partnered with CII Annual Life Sciences Conclave in Mumbai. The theme for this year's
conclave was “ Being Future Ready: Preparing for a Giant Leap” with a focus on the gamut of
challenges accosting the Indian Life Sciences sector and their possible solutions, as Indian Life
Sciences Industry looks to grow at double digit rate to hit USD 75 Billion plus over next 5 yrs.
Mr Satish Reddy, Chairman Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council did deliver a keynote
address to the audience in the event which was attended by Industry, Govt and Academia across
India.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
Page 9
SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
FOCUSED GROUP DISCUSSION ON SKILL INDIA INITIATIVE WITH INDUSTRY
MEMBERS OF INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION (IPA) AT MUMBAI, 18TH
SEPTEMBER 2019
Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance is an association of top 22 Indian Multinational Life Sciences Industry
Players. Among the 22, LSSSDC is already working with 17 Industry members on some or other Skill
India Initiatives, and others are coming on board soon.
To boost coverage of Industry engagement among IPA Members select member of IPA were invited
for a focused discussion on Skill India initiatives and their benefits to employers, employees as well
as the entire ecosystem. Meeting was chaired by Dr. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General , IPA and Mr.
Ranjit Madan, CEO, LSSSDC.
IPA Member representatives at Mumbai during Focused Group Discussion on Skilling Initiatives
The discussion agenda covered initiatives like Apprenticeship, Recognition of Prior Leaning under
PMKVY RPL- BICE program as well as possibilities of industry joining LSSSDC Skilling ecosystem for
fresh skill development beyond their internal requirements.
The meeting was also attended by Industry players like IPCA Laboratories and Alembic who are
participating with LSSSDC, and representatives from both these companies shared their experience
and benefits in partnering with LSSSDC.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
Page 10
SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
ANNUAL GOVERNING BODY MEETING OF THE BULK DRUG MANUFACTURERS
ASSOCIATION (BDMA) IN HYDERABAD, 28TH SEP 2019
BDMA is an all India body representing most of the Bulk Drug Manufacturers of India. Annual Governing
Body meeting of BDMA chaired by Sri. V.V. Krishna Reddy, President BDMA was organized in
Hyderabad.
Mr. Ranjit Madan, CEO LSSSDC attended the meeting and addressed the audience, stressing the need
for close collaboration among BDMA, LSSSDC and Academia.
Mr. Ranjit Madan addressing Annual Governing Body Meeting of BDMA in Hyderabad
Around 60-70 industry leaders also attended the meeting. The discussion agenda covered skill
development to enhance and support the pharmaceutical industry of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
to get trained and skilled manpower.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
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SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
PARTNERSHIPS
MOU SIGNOFF WITH SIKKIM- ARUNACHAL PRADESH UNIVERSITY
MoU with Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh University
LSSSDC signed a MoU with Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh University for execution of skill development
programs (both fresh skilling and upskilling) in the qualifications of Quality Control Biologist, Machine
Operator and Lab Technician in Life Sciences Sector. A target of 1410 candidates to be certified in
3-year period has been set.
MOU SIGNOFF WITH GD GOENKA UNIVERSITY
MoU with GD Goenka University
GD Goenka University signed a MoU with LSSSDC to launch the apprenticeship linked Graduate Skill
Development Program. This will be first of its kind program launched by LSSSDC under ‘SHREYAS’
initiative of MHRD.
A QUARTERLY Editorial published by
Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council
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SKILL NEWSLETTER Issue 15 | July 2019 – September 2019
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EDITORIAL TEAM, LSSSDC