CASE Construction Equipment: Empowering Operators Through Skill Development
Shalabh Chaturvedi - Managing Director, CASE Construction Equipment India & SAARC region
As the country is moving towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, it is important to strengthen our skill base. The country is seeing countless ongoing infrastructure projects which require workers with the right skill set. Lack of skilled labour impacts operations as construction is a highly specialized industry. For instance, if equipment operators working at project sites are not well trained, there would be incompetence in their performance, and even mishandling of the machines.
Lack of expertise also becomes a barrier in completion of projects in the given timeline and wastage of resources, which increases the budgetary allocation of the project(s). Converting the workforce to a ‘skilled’ one will not only ease the construction process but also increase the pace of work, and also reduce the likelihood of mishaps at site, equipment damages, etc.
Empowering India to become a skilled nation is an exciting and transformative journey, encompassing a wide range of possibilities: While we acknowledge certain challenges along the way, it's heartening to know that these hurdles are not insolvable and can be effectively addressed to propel us towards our goal. One of the challenges that we are addressing is the gap in awareness among our workforce. By recognizing and actively working to bridge this gap, we can enhance the skill development process and ensure that every individual is equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary for success. Furthermore, hiring more female workers in the projects could bring a new or a different perspective to the construction process.
An essential gap in the sector is the lack of expertise in operating technologically advanced equipment: As we are moving towards becoming a tech-driven nation, it is important to upgrade our curriculum for training and skilling, including incorporating new technologies, which will make the manpower up-to-date on the upcoming projects of the government.
Given that India is developing into a technologically advanced country, it is important for the people who are steering the construction industry, to be well versed with the upgraded technological skills. Operators need to be familiar with features like telematics in the new equipment to optimize work procedures.
The demand for specific skill sets has surged in response to rapid technological breakthroughs. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Industry 4.0 concepts, and robotics are at the forefront of this transformative wave. Technology is reshaping the job market and creating a paradigm shift in the nature of work. As automation takes over routine and repetitive tasks, there is a growing need for individuals to upskill in areas that complement and collaborate with AI technologies.
Our training initiatives aim to empower individuals with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape: At CASE Construction Equipment, our commitment to fostering skill development and reskilling construction equipment operators is exemplified through our Skill Development Centre, under our Hunar initiative. Located in Sonvai, Rau, near Pithampur, the Centre makes a significant contribution to the Central Government's Skill India Mission. The training program revolves around Loader Backhoe operation, offering comprehensive theoretical classes and practical training. This includes technical skills, product and process knowledge, health and safety protocols, and soft skills like personal grooming, interpersonal skills and creating work-life balance.
The program also includes a thorough assessment of basic computer knowledge. The hands-on practical training involves 110 hours of experience with Loader Backhoes equipped with the latest technologies, supplemented by an additional 40 hours of product-specific training to deepen the operators’ understanding of the machine.
To further validate the competence of our trainees, we collaborate with SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society) to provide third-party certification through the Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council (IESC).
Along with the Hunar program, our Pithampur plant has a training center that not only provides regular operator training but also partners with established training organizations for skill development. The collaborations aim to educate operators and foster the emergence of new entrepreneurs within the construction equipment industry.
NBM&CW - May 2024
