Wanted: Skilled Workers!
The Indian construction sector is the second highest contributor to the GDP after agriculture, yet, faces the challenge of a colossal skill gap. The formally skilled workforce in the country is only about 4 per cent, which is abysmal. Developers need to partner with the Government and also proactively initiate training and development for construction workers to bridge this enormous skill gap. For its part, the Government has initiated the India Skills Mission and, in 2013, established the Construction Skill Development Council of India (CSDC) that works with the industry and training partners. It encourages associations and developer members to partake in the initiative to achieve skilling numbers for the sector.
Skill development is a need
Contrary to popular perception, skill development in the industry is not an additional feature or mere CSR, it is a pressing need. In the absence of adequate skilled workers, it will be a challenge for crucial government initiatives such as ‘Housing for All by 2022’ to be accomplished.
Some key factors to emphasise on the need for skill development are:
Ways to bridge the skill gap
The fraternity needs to unite to see a tangible difference in the volume of skilled labour and, by extension, quality long-lasting structures.
Vishal Gupta is Chairman-Labour, Laws and Skill Development, CREDAI National, and Managing Director, Ashiana Housing. At CREDAI, he has spearheaded skill development initiatives and been instrumental in the training of 1 lakh workers under CREDAI’s skilling programme.
