NTPC offers training for unskilled workers

VISAKHAPATNAM: In a world where employers are looking for labour force that is adaptive and suitable for a certain job, unskilled workforce is more at the risk of remaining or rendered unemployed.But with the new partnership between NTPC’s Simhadri Super Thermal Power Plant and the directorate of employment and training, Hyderabad, a special training programme for unskilled workers has been introduced at the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Gajuwaka which will shape them up as skilled workers.The two-year certificate programme, which is the first of its kind in the country, is aimed at providing better working conditions and remuneration to unskilled workers. The NTPC Simhadri management has identified around 200 (unskilled) workers who have remained unemployed for the last few years due to lack of technical skills.Following this, the management discussed the plan with the directorate of employment and training, Hyderabad which helped it frame the course and the NTPC management would bear all the expenses.The directorate launched the training programme for the first batch of 66 unskilled workers (like electricians, welders and others) on October 17 and is holding classes for them at the Government ITI at Gajuwaka from 2 pm to 10 pm daily. The directorate is planning to start a new batch for unskilled workers from other industries too. According to regional deputy director of employment and training JV Prabhakar, the courses at the ITI are divided into two batches.“The first one begins at 6 am and ends at 2 pm and the other begins at 10.30 am and ends at 6 pm. But, the directorate has made an exception for this course and is offering the course from 2 pm to 10 pm.Experienced instructors of ITI are taking theory as well as practical classes for the workers to ensure their overall development.At the end of the course, examinations are conducted to test the candidates.With the NTPC facing problems due to unskilled workers, the quality of work has gone down. This is why it has introduced the course to maximise productivity of unskilled workers and minimise losses in power generation.A representative of NTPC Simhadri said lack of skilled workers impacts quality, delivery and output. “As the skilled workforce is shrinking in the current situation, the NTPC Simhadri has embarked on this course to ensure better remuneration and working conditions for unskilled workers. Once the unskilled workers get their certificates, they will be offered ‘good’ wages, those on par with regular pay scales,’’ he said.