Back to basics for power engineers

PFC undertakes a capacity building initiative.

In order to strengthen the "weakest link" in the power sector"" distribution ""the Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC) will help train about 18,000 to 20,000 engineers in power distribution management over the next three years through a distance learning programme on which it has worked together with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

The six-month 'Advanced Certificate in Power Distribution Management' programme is specially designed for middle and junior management professionals, including junior engineers, assistant engineers and officers of equivalent rank in distribution utilities and other organisations related to the power sector in the states and Union Territories.

This initiative is part of PFC's long-term commitment to capacity building and human resource development in the power sector. Enrolment for the first batch is already on and the course is likely to commence by January end with a batch strength of about 1,200-1,300 candidates. The subsequent batches will have almost double this number.

"The course will surely enable students to manage, operate and deliver power more efficiently," said Dr V K Garg, PFC's chairman and managing director.

The programme has generated tremendous response among managers and it is likely to continue for at least four to five years, according to a PFC official. PFC helped IGNOU in not only developing the programme but also sourcing the candidates. The Corporation has given IGNOU a sum of Rs 20 lakh for this purpose.

The eligibility criteria for the programme are a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or commerce, or a three-year diploma in engineering with a minimum of two years of post-qualification executive work experience.

As of now, this is the only programme for which PFC has tied up with IGNOU. However, says the PFC official, there could be more such initiatives in the future, depending upon the success of this programme.

Besides the certificate programme, PFC has partnered with Management Development Institute (MDI) in Gurgaon for an MBA programme in power distribution management. This two-year programme is especially meant for senior level managers.

PFC is also running several short-term courses of three to four days duration for junior and middle-level managers employed in various power entities. These courses are being offered at different institutes across the country.