Leela Group and ISTD Bhavnagar Drive Workforce Growth with Training on Soft Skills, Finance, AI & Wellness

Alang, September 14, 2025 – For the very first time, Alang—the world’s largest ship recycling hub—hosted a professional training conference in partnership with the Indian Society for Training & Development (ISTD), Bhavnagar Chapter. Supported by Leela Group of Ship Recycling Yards, the event marked an important milestone in bringing structured professional learning opportunities directly to Alang’s workforce.

The conference aimed to create a future-ready workforce by covering key areas such as soft skills, personal development, mindfulness and wellness, financial literacy, and the role of AI/ML in the workplace. These sessions helped participants gain not only technical knowledge but also essential life and career skills for all-round growth.

The program opened with tea and breakfast, followed by a keynote from Mr. Prabhat Kumar, Chairman of ISTD Bhavnagar Chapter and Vice President – HSEQEn & Naval Architecture, Leela Group. He highlighted ISTD’s mission of spreading training and development across industries and shared the initiatives of the Bhavnagar Chapter.

The inaugural ceremony included the traditional lighting of the lamp by Mr. Vishaal Soni, CEO of Leela Group, alongside ISTD office bearers. In his address, Mr. Soni emphasized the importance of such collaborations, noting that high-quality training—usually limited to metro cities—was now accessible in Alang itself. He was also honored with a token of appreciation for his support.

Adding more depth to the event, 10 members from ISTD Anand Chapter and Dr. Raju Rathod, Regional Vice President (West), ISTD, participated actively, with Dr. Rathod also conducting a session. A panel of distinguished trainers, including Dr. Parth Panday, Prof. Hem Bhatt, Mr. Devdatta Pathak, and Dr. Rathod, delivered insightful talks that left participants motivated and better equipped for modern workplace challenges.

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The event was smoothly anchored by Mr. Anirudha Shetty and Mr. Bhanu Pratap, with strong support from the Leela Group’s HSE team, who were recognized for their efforts in ensuring flawless execution.

Closing remarks and a vote of thanks were delivered by Mr. Bhautik Daxini, with participants applauding the initiative as a groundbreaking step for Alang.

This pioneering program reflects Leela Group’s ongoing commitment to workforce development through continuous training. By becoming the first ship recycling company in Alang to collaborate with ISTD, Leela has set a new standard for the industry—positioning Alang not only as a global hub for ship recycling but also as an emerging hub for professional learning and excellence.