Well known for its rubber technology, India has plenty to offer in terms of job opportunities in the rubber sector.
But, what does it take to land a job in the industry and why is it relevant to today’s youth? Vinod Simon, Chairman, Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC), who recently joined hands with Hindustan University to offer training programmes in rubber technology, gives us the low-down.
How far has rubber technology in India developed? How will it help unemployment?
Rubber is a sunrise sector in India. The industry fits in perfectly with the government’s Make in India and Skill India initiatives, as the rubber units spread across the country manufacture around 35,000 different rubber products, which find usage in the automobile industry, defence, healthcare, agriculture and other critical sectors. It is a labour-intensive sector and manpower is always needed at all levels.
What will the programme entail?
The Bachelor of Vocation (B Voc) in Rubber Technology is a three-year programme, equal to that of a BSc Physics or Chemistry. It will include 40 per cent practical training and field visits. The course will ultimately aim to land students in supervisory roles in the rubber industry and plantation sectors.
What other training programmes does RSDC undertake?
Currently, RSDC is conducting training sessions for the job of Latex Harvesting Technician (Tapper). The training is being conducted through the Rubber Board channels of 2,314 rubber producing societies and 254 group processing centres in Kerala. The exercise will skill and recognise as many as 22,500 candidates for the job of Latex Harvest Technician for controlled upward tapping
and 4,500 candidates for the job of Low Frequency Tapper.
Which are some of the other places offering training?
RSDC’s affiliated training partner, Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai recently launched the first batch of the Senior Rubber Technician (SRT) course as a value-added programme for the engineering students of the Department of Polymer Technology. Similarly, RSDC has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Tripura University to offer B Voc in Rubber Technology, approved by the UGC.
What are the job placement initiatives as part of the programme?
The best part of the programme is the industry itself is involved in training people. This ensures that students have the necessary skills that industries are looking for. We also conduct placement drives and encourage students to post their CVs on the rsdcindia.in portal, where companies can reach out to them.
Where does India stand in the rubber export market?
India is a major exporter of rubber products. In the non-tyre sector, as much as 40% of the turnover comes from exports. There are around 5,500 non-tyre rubber goods units in the country, manufacturing 35,000 different products. India is well known for its quality of rubber products and even discerning markets such as the US, account for significant exports. However, the potential for rubber exports is much larger than exploited so far.
Reach Out: rsdcindia.in