NAREDCO Upskilling Initiative

NAREDCO Upskilling Initiative

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Enhancing Employability and Proficiency in the Construction Sector: A NAREDCO Upskilling Initiative

The construction sector in India is a significant contributor to employment and economic growth, employing approximately 70 million individuals. The rapid pace of urbanization in India has led to an ever-growing demand for skilled manpower in the construction sector. However, most construction workers lack formal education and training, joining the sector as a last resort. These workers, once employed, continue to face a myriad of challenges, including lack of career opportunities, poor living conditions, restricted family life, daily wage employment, risk to life and disability.

Lack of Career Opportunities: Unlike the organized sector, the construction industry does not offer lucrative growth opportunities. A mason, for instance, remains a mason throughout his career, with daily wages ranging from INR 250 to 900 depending on proficiency. The absence of career progression and formal recognition keeps these workers in a cycle of limited financial growth.

Poor Living Conditions: Construction workers often live in substandard conditions with limited access to clean drinking water, sanitation, and proper accommodation. These poor living conditions further exacerbate their hardships, affecting their overall well-being and productivity.

Restricted Family Life: Due to the transient nature of their work, construction workers frequently live in makeshift accommodations, making it difficult to provide stable education and a conducive environment for their children. As a result, many are forced to leave their families in their native villages.

Daily Wage Employment: The construction sector largely employs workers on a daily wage basis, resulting in a lack of consistent and defined income. This instability prevents workers from achieving financial security and planning for the future.

Risk to Life and Threat of Disability: The nature of construction work inherently involves significant risks. Workers are constantly exposed to dangers that can result in life-threatening injuries or permanent disabilities, further complicating their already precarious situation.

The construction industry's rapid growth, coupled with a shortage of skilled labor, underscores the critical need for skill development. Despite the sector's potential to provide substantial employment, the lack of formal training hinders workers from using modern technologies and work methods. This inefficiency leads to several challenges for the industry and the nation:

Lack of Employment Opportunities: Untrained workers find it difficult to secure permanent employment, despite the potential in identified job roles. Enhancing employability and proficiency can significantly improve their chances of finding stable jobs within the sector.

Time Overruns: The shortage of proficient manpower results in delays in service delivery, causing substantial time and cost overruns for projects. This inefficiency affects the overall progress and profitability of the industry.

Poor Quality of Service: Inadequate training leads to poor workmanship, which is a primary reason for the substandard quality of construction projects. Improving the skill levels of workers can enhance the quality and reliability of their output.

Wastage of Material: The lack of knowledge and proficiency among workers results in significant wastage of raw materials, leading to cost escalations borne by the end users. Addressing skill gaps can minimize wastage and improve cost efficiency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

Corporate Projects

Govt Projects

Total

2019-2020

332

25498

25830

2020-2021

1677

0

1677

2022-2023

0

22977

22977

2023-2024

547

18268

18815

 Grand Total

2556

66743

69299

 

 

NAREDCO’s Commitment to Skill Development

Recognizing these challenges, NAREDCO has undertaken various employability enhancement and skill development projects over the past few years. NAREDCO, incorporated under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, has a significant presence across India through its state chapters and includes government officials from various ministries and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

NAREDCO's Employability and Proficiency Enhancement Program (EPEP) aims to address the gaps in proficiency within the construction workforce. The program focuses on the most in-demand occupations such as masons, bar benders, steel fixers, and shuttering carpenters, which comprise nearly 83% of the construction sector workforce.

The Employability and Proficiency Enhancement Program (EPEP)

The EPEP is designed to organize the unorganized sector by providing targeted training and certification to construction workers on construction sites across India.

Program Structure:

Employability Enhancement Training: The program includes training session with on-site training for each mobilized candidate. The training will cover major competency gaps and important labour laws relevant to their occupation.

Assessment and Trade Test: Candidates who have attended the training will undergo a trade test conducted by their employer or by an accredited assessment agency. Successful candidates will receive a certificate of competence, while others will receive a training completion certificate.

Recognition and Certification: A certificate is issued to all participating candidates, recognizing their proficiency and enhancing their employability.

Benefits of the Program

The EPEP offers numerous benefits to construction workers, empowering them to improve their economic and social standing:

Certification of Proficiency: Workers will receive formal certification of their skills, enhancing their credibility and job prospects.

Wages According to Certified Proficiency: Certified workers can demand higher wages based on their proven proficiency, leading to better financial stability.

Opportunity to Immigrate: Certified workers will have better opportunities to seek employment in regions with high demand for skilled labour, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the European Union (EU).

Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The program encourages workers to explore entrepreneurial ventures, such as becoming labour contractors, providing them with a path to financial independence.

Access to Financial Independence: Workers can also benefit from government schemes like the MUDRA Loan, which offers financial support to small entrepreneurs.

The Impact of EPEP on the Construction Industry and the Nation

The EPEP is expected to have a transformative impact on the construction industry and the nation as a whole. By addressing the skill gaps and enhancing the proficiency of the workforce, the program aims to achieve the following outcomes:

Enhanced Employability: The program will create a pool of skilled workers with formal certification, improving their employability and reducing unemployment in the construction sector.

Improved Project Efficiency: With a more proficient workforce, construction projects will experience fewer delays and cost overruns, leading to timely completion and enhanced project efficiency.

Higher Quality of Construction: Skilled workers will deliver better quality work, reducing the incidence of poor workmanship and improving the overall quality of construction projects.

Reduced Material Wastage: Trained workers will have the knowledge and skills to minimize material wastage, leading to cost savings and more efficient use of resources.

Economic Growth: By empowering workers and improving their financial stability, the program will contribute to the economic growth of the country. A skilled workforce will enhance productivity, drive innovation, and attract investment in the construction sector.

Social Upliftment: The program will also have a positive social impact by improving the living conditions and quality of life of construction workers and their families. It will address issues related to poverty, education, and social mobility, leading to the upliftment of marginalized communities.

Conclusion

The construction sector in India holds immense potential for employment and economic growth. However, the lack of formal training and skill development has hindered the sector's progress and the well-being of its workers. NAREDCO's Employability and Proficiency Enhancement Program (EPEP) aims to bridge this gap by providing targeted training, certification, and support to construction workers across India.

By addressing the challenges faced by construction workers and enhancing their skills, the EPEP will empower them to achieve better career opportunities, financial stability, and social mobility. The program will also improve the efficiency and quality of construction projects, contributing to the overall growth and development of the construction sector and the nation.

NAREDCO's commitment to skill development and employability enhancement reflects its dedication to the welfare of construction workers and its vision of a skilled and prosperous construction sector in India. Through the EPEP, NAREDCO aims to transform the lives of construction workers, uplift marginalized communities, and drive the country's economic growth.

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