AGRA, India, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hettich Poddar Woodworking Institute (HPWWI) has achieved a remarkable milestone in its first-ever WorldSkills preparation initiative, with all six of its candidates securing medals at the Regional competition – resulting in a 100% success rate. The journey began with the launch of HPWWI ‘s WorldSkills preparation camp on September 11, 2025, aimed at identifying and nurturing high-potential talent in woodworking trades. Sixteen candidates were initially shortlisted across three skill categories (Joinery, Cabinet Making, and Carpentry) and underwent intensive, industry-aligned training. Following District and State-level competitions, six candidates advanced to the Regional stage, emerging from a highly competitive pool of over 700 participants across the North Zone. Held in Agra from March 11 to 14, 2026, the Regional competition brought together more than 300 participants and was attended by senior dignitaries from the skill development ecosystem, including the Hon’ble Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. Demonstrating exceptional skill and preparation, all six HPWWI participants secured podium finishes: Lucky Kumar (Joinery) – Gold Lavkush (Joinery) – Silver Shubham Jangra (Joinery) – Bronze Ankit Vishwakarma (Cabinet making) – Gold Rahul Jangra (Cabinet Making) – Silver Junaid (Carpentry) – Silver Five of these candidates have qualified for the National competition, scheduled later this month, where they will compete for a chance to represent India at the WorldSkills International stage in Shanghai. Highlighting HPWWI’s role in this maiden achievement, Mr. Amit Prasad, Director, HPWWI and Chief Human Resources Officer, Hettich India, said – “This milestone reflects the growing recognition of our efforts across the woodworking and manufacturing ecosystem, and reinforces our commitment to strengthening India’s skilled workforce pipeline. It has been made possible through sustained support, clear vision, and a shared belief in the impact of this initiative.” As a center of excellence in Woodworking training, HPWWI continues to focus on building future-ready professionals by combining technical expertise with real-world application. The institute’s training philosophy is aligned with the broader goal of fostering self-reliant careers and contributing to India’s ‘Make in India’ vision through a strong, skill-driven workforce. About HPWWI Hettich Poddar Woodworking Institute (HPWWI) is a premier skill development initiative focused on training and empowering individuals in woodworking and allied trades. Through industry-aligned programs and hands-on learning, HPWWI aims to create a highly skilled workforce that supports both individual growth and national development. Website: https://hettichwoodworkinginstitute.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hpwwi/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hpwwi/ “This is a company press release that is not part of editorial content. No journalist of The Hindu was involved in the publication of this release.” Published – March 23, 2026 02:44 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation IFQM’S FIRST MSME SYMPOSIUM CALLS FOR A ‘NATIONAL QUALITY SPRINT’ TO INTEGRATE WITH GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS Kerala elections: Chennithala alleges ‘deal’ between Pinarayi, Modi, Amit Shah to defeat Congress-led UDF