The collaboration aims to address the shortage of job-ready talent across quality, production and regulatory functions as the domestic pharmaceutical sector targets growth to $130 billion by 2030.
It also reflects a broader industry shift towards technology-driven workforce development amid increasing regulatory focus on shop-floor competence, training quality and data integrity.
The platform integrates 8chili’s HintVR immersive learning library with its SkillsForge AI system, enabling a transition from classroom-based training to a continuous capability-building model. Learners will interact with digital twins of manufacturing equipment, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and processes, allowing practical exposure before working in live production environments.
HintVR provides access to more than 200 VR-based simulations built on real-world SOPs, machine configurations and regulatory frameworks. The modules cover key manufacturing processes such as granulation, compression, coating, encapsulation, aseptic filling, visual inspection and cleaning operations, offering hands-on practice in a controlled, risk-free setting.
The SkillsForge AI platform complements this with personalised learning and assessment, including scenario-based coaching and adaptive modules on good manufacturing practices (GMP), quality systems, documentation and data integrity. It follows a structured learn–practice–perform–audit workflow, capturing user interactions to provide measurable insights into skill readiness.
“Our partnership with 8chili ensures that every PAGE learner, whether a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, steps onto the shop floor having already operated machines, followed SOPs, and handled real-world scenarios. This is the next generation of pharma training: immersive, AI-coached, measurable, and globally benchmarked," said Amitava Saha, CEO, Pharmaceutical Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE).
“8chili’s vision is to transform workforce capability in regulated manufacturing by digitizing every SOP, machine, and process. PAGE is the ideal partner to scale this vision in India. With more than 200 HintVR simulations and AI-driven coaching through SkillsForge, PAGE learners will enter the industry hands-on, audit-ready, and globally competitive," said Aravind Upadhyaya, Founder & CEO, 8chili Inc.
