BHUBANESWAR: A training programme to bridge the skill gap for masons is on the cards. This would not only make the masons competent to meet the growing market demands but also polish their skills.For the purpose, a Construction Skill Development Council of India (CSDCI) has prepared a training module for rural masons across the country. The module, dubbed as Recognition with Prior Learning (RPL) and Bridge Course, will be of 7 to 10 days depending on the skill gap the masons have.
Speaking on the sidelines of World Skills Youth Day and Swachchta Pakhwada here on Tuesday, CEO of CSDCI Anand Kumar Singh said masons in villages are not properly trained as per modern requirements. “We want to launch a training module specially designed to bridge their skill gap so that they can be competent and skilled enough to meet those requirements. The training will help enhance their skills,” he told ‘The Express’.
The new module will be in addition to the 45-day on the job training programme which has been introduced by Ministry of Rural Development for rural masons. On completion of training, they will be certified as trained masons, Singh said and added that there are six institutes in Odisha to impart training free of cost.
While nearly 40,000 masons have undergone training and constructed 10,000 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, the scheme is being implemented in Assam, Bihar and Odisha in the next phase.“Odisha Government says they have 15,000 trained masons. We will check their skills as per national skill qualification framework following which they will be certified and, if required, imparted hands-on training,” Singh said.
As part of the IndiaSkills regional event, a training programme on twin pit toilet technology for 150 masons was organised by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS).The masons mobilised from Khurda, Puri and Cuttack districts were given a pocket handbook for easy reference on site. It was second training session after Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.
Joint Secretary of MSDE Rajesh Agarwal said RPL training programme will be rolled out in UP and Odisha where more toilet construction is taking place, in next couple of months. The masons will contribute to the mission of Skill India, which is committed to make the country open defecation free, he added.