Morung Express News
Kohima | March 25
The ‘Year of Construction Workers’ (YoCW) 2016-2017 was launched on March 25 at Directorate of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Multipurpose Hall, Govt IT Kohima Campus. In collaboration with YouthNet and Zynorique Initiatives Society, the launch aims to train 550 youths in Nagaland and also instill a sense of pride and dignity in the profession.
Gracing the launch as the chief guest Dr. T.M Lotha, Advisor, Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Treasuries and Accounts, spoke on the continuous and vertical growth of the Construction industry in Nagaland which will demand for more skilled labour in the future.
Shortage of workers in Nagaland
“We have sufficient numbers of architects, engineers and technical diploma holders but we face shortages in construction workers thereby making us dependent on workers from outside the State,” said Lotha who regarded launch as crucial because the government job alone cannot meet our demand, and Nagaland has many limitations in terms of industrialization, limited economic activities and remoteness of the State from mainland India.
Underscoring that the construction industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy of this country, particularly the NE region, Lotha informed that the largest chunk of the Government’s annual development expenditures are accounted for by construction works besides providing one of the biggest avenues for employment.
“Construction works both in the public and private sector accounts to a major portion of the State economy in terms of the flow of the finance in the market which has the potential to employ large number of workers. However, our workforce is not skilled enough to meet the demand and challenges of this rapid growth. With this perspective the State Government declared the 2016-17 as the YoCW to sensitize and empower our youths with the skill sets to fulfill the demand in the construction sector,” said Lotha with the key target being to contribute to the goal of solving the rising unemployment problem in the State. This will address the immediate need and increasing demand for skilled workers in the construction sector as well as ensure efficient and timely execution of infrastructural development works in the State.
Demand for workers by 2022 will be 1,46,300
Mhonbemo Patton, Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship who chaired the programme highlighted crucial points of the Skill Gap Studies by NSDC and Deloitte which was undertaken in 2015 on the needs and availability of human resources in Nagaland. The study revealed that the demand for workers by 2022 will be 1,46,300 out of which 49.2 percent of the demand is expected to be for minimally skilled segment with some basic schooling background. The demand is expected to be highest in building, construction and real estate.
“Whereas the aspiration of our youth is found to be highest for Government jobs and second lowest for building, construction, real estate. Agriculture being the last job option of our youth. To reconcile this reality and dream is indeed our task ahead,” said Patton stating that the YoCW which has been put forward with much brainstorming and planning plan to train 550 youths (50 in each of the 11 districts). “The target may seem modest but we envisage providing livelihood to at least 70 percent of the trainees. So that, we create role models for others to emulate and at least create discussion among the youth that this is also an area of livelihood, a dignified option to live. And in future, we hope to create momentum to have our own Construction Academy,” informed Patton.
State govt prioritizing Corporate Social Responsibility
F.P Solo, Commissioner and Secretary who spoke on behalf of Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar mentioned that the State government is according high priority to Corporate Social Responsibility in the State where it is directing all AHoDs and HoDs to formulate strategies to attract CSR in their departments.
Lauding the Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for its initiatives in partnering with companies such as TATA Motors and Hyundai Motors India Limited (HMIL), Solo highlighted the Department’s activities with these partnerships. The partnership with TATA motors enabled the upgradation of the diesel mechanic facility at Government ITI Kohima besides the contribution of various cut sections of engines, technical posters etc.
TATA motors collaborated with other flagship companies like Bosch, Castrol, Fleetguard and ZF helped in setting up the state of the art facilities at Govt. ITI Kohima. A driver training by a ‘Driving Stimulator’ has been set up in the ITI which will be operated in a revenue generating model. A virtual training software E-Learning has been introduced.
In its partnership with HMIL, the department initiated two CSR programme to upgrade the mechanic motor vehicle facility in Kohima. The MoU which will soon be signed, will enable the HMIL to contribute unregistered vehicle, engine assembly, transmission assembly, cut section, technical posters, other components, etc besides refurbishing the workshop. It will also introduce HMIL Certification course, and on successful completion, the trainees will be place in Hyundai Motor dealers.
The Department has also submitted proposal for the establishment of new ITI centre at Longleng and Kiphire. The curriculum for the YoCW and a theme song sung by Alobo Naga in Nagamese for the YoWC programme was also released on March. YouthNet has created a logo, videos and other promos for the programme.
Richard Belho, from Zynorique Initiatives Society, updated on the training curriculum for the programme which is a part of the national curriculum. “This training programme is not just another training programme we are looking at the continuity. 2017 is just a launching programme from next year onwards we hope to be a part of the national programme. We are not just conducting training for the sake of certification but we are looking at it for the sake of livelihood and self employment generation,” mentioned Richard Belho.
