The state government has decided to train unskilled workers in construction sector. As part of its recently unveiled policy for unorganised sector, the state has come out with a new scheme to train unskilled labours in existing Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
The initiative to train construction workers assumes importance as there is a crunch of skilled workers in the construction sector and majority of labourers in the sector are highly unskilled. As per the report of working group on skill development and training, 79 per cent workers are unskilled in construction sector.
A large number of workers are employed directly without any skill and they gradually gain few skills over the period time. However, such works fail to keep pace with modernisation and rapid technological changes. “This not only results into poor quality and material wastage but also dissatisfaction to the customer,” the report states.
In order to tide over the problem the Gujarat government intends to train unskilled workers in ITIs. The state government plans to train 930 workers in first year from the fields of construction electrician and wireman, formwork carpentry, bar bending, scaffolding and plumbing as well as sanitation. Around Rs. 22 crores have been allocated for the purpose.