Sobha academy makes dent in artisans' shortage

It is a backward integration of a different kind. Bangalore-based builder Shoba Developers is setting its sights on much more than raising landmarks by trying to expand the country's skilled artisan base.

The group has initiated efforts to develop skilled artisans of the right kind, at the Shoba Academy. Artisans like mason, brick-layer, tile-layer and carpenter are trained in batches of 25-30 at the academy. So far, the academy has trained four batches and a fifth batch is undergoing training.

A move designed to address the shortage of skilled manpower in the industry, the pass- outs will handle the mason's tools across several Sobha projects if they are interested in doing so.

"The four-month-long training attempts to fine-tune the skills of the selected candidates. Besides, advanced building techniques will be inculcated in them," says Sanjiv Aundhe, a general manager. To cut down on the number of applications for the 20-30 vacancies, Sobha uses the principle of excludability. It takes in people who are at least a tenth standard pass. Once an advertisement to attract trainees brought in a deluge of applications. The academy has relied on word of mouth to fill its seats, since then.

"Quality, safety and cleanliness are the three words the academy promises to add to the trainees' vocabulary and make sure they learn to practice it," says Aundhe. The academy has a visiting German faculty member who helps the trainees refine their skills.

The trainees at the end of their training get a rating, the highest being AAA.