IESC is in the process of aligning its qualifications in line with global standards to ensure ease of overseas placement of candidates

– Vijay Kumar

CEO, Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council (IESC)

How can the construction equipment industry meet the growing demand for trained and certified operators and mechanics in India?

In view of the enhanced focus of the Government on Infrastructure development, including emphasis on flagship Infrastructure projects such as the National Infrastructure Pipeline and the recently launched Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the demand for Construction Equipment operators and mechanics is expected to increase manifold in India.

The CE Industry Vision plan 2030 envisions Construction Equipment volumes to increase 3 times to ~250,000 – 260,000 units per annum by 2030. It is therefore estimated that ~3 million trained Construction Equipment operators and mechanics will be required in the decade upto 2030.

In order to meet this huge demand for skilled and certified equipment operators and mechanics, Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council (IESC) alongwith its Member companies, comprising largely of OEMs, need to follow a two pronged approach wherein both fresh skilling and upskilling need to be prioritized.

It is estimated that only a small percentage of ~15 Lakh equipment operators and mechanics, currently employed across Infrastructure projects pan India, are trained and certified. IESC therefore needs to work in partnership with both the Government and the Industry to upskill equipment operators and mechanics under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program. At the same time, it is essential that fresh skilling is imparted to youth, especially from Tier II and III cities, to help generate employment & entrepreneurship opportunities and create a pool of skilled workforce of operators and mechanics for the Industry. Apart from Govt. funded trainings, non-funded trainings, which involve participation of the private sector, are also essential to fast-track skilling in the construction equipment sector.

What are the initiatives undertaken by the IESC and its key stakeholders in the industry to strengthen the skill development in the sector and to create a pool of certified manpower?

IESC has been closely working with all its stakeholders, including OEMs, to help create a robust skilling ecosystem in the CE Industry. Since its inception, IESC has developed ~40 job roles covering >80% of the work force, accredited >60 Training Partners majority of whom are OEMs, certified over 800 trainers and trained over 50,000 personnel.

IESC has also partnered with the Government, both at the Center and State level, to impart skill development training and certification for equipment operators and mechanics. For example, under the National Initiative for Promoting Upskilling of Nirman workers (NIPUN) Scheme of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), IESC is training and certifying fresh candidates as well as upskilling experienced personnel under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program. For the purpose, IESC is expanding its geographical coverage by onboarding new Training partners pan India. IESC is also actively engaged with the Border Road Organization and the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans to train and certify ex-servicemen in Infrastructure Equipment trades.

IESC is duly supported by its OEM Member companies through their State-of-the-art Operator training centers pan India. These OEM training centers, manned by expert trainers, run equipment operator and mechanic training programs with the objective of creating a pool of skilled workforce for the Industry.

What is the current demand-supply scenario of skilled manpower in the industry?

Based on Equipment volumes, it is estimated that ~15 Lakh equipment operators and mechanics are currently employed in the field across projects, a large percentage of which need to be upskilled & certified.

Further, with Construction Equipment Sales projected to treble by 2030, it is estimated that ~3 million skilled equipment operators and mechanics will be required to operate and service construction equipment in the decade upto 2030.

What activities are being undertaken or planned by IESC to scale up its operations?

As mentioned earlier, IESC is actively engaging with the Central Govt. and State Government bodies to drive skill development initiatives as well as with the Army and Border Road Organization to train and certify ex-servicemen.

IESC is also in the process of expanding its Training partner base to cater to the higher demand for training equipment operators and mechanics pan India. (TOT, Assessors, etc.)

Other key steps being considered by IESC to scale up its operations include expanding its Membership base, adding new products under its portfolio, adding new qualifications at NSQF level 5 and above, partnering with educational institutions and ITIs, amongst others.

What are the emerging trends in skill requirements in the CE Industry?

The Indian Construction Equipment Industry, as a part of its Vision Plan 2030, envisions to:

• Grow 3X its current size by 2030.
• Become the 2nd largest CE market globally.
• Be established as the manufacturing and export hub for CE.

This growth envisioned for the Indian CE Industry will also help create a huge skilling opportunity in the sector due to advancement of technology in the CE Industry.

For example, telematics is being extensively used in construction equipment across applications. ICT (Information & Communication Technology) enablement helps generate data pertaining to Equipment usage hours, efficiency of usage, location, alarms for system malfunction and so on. These data points / reports help in preventive maintenance, better utilization and monitoring of assets, and geofencing.

In Mining applications, there is increased use of Autonomous Drives and higher usage of Technology in Safety Systems.

With investment in new technology / advancement in Construction & Mining Equipment, it is essential to upskill the existing manpower and create a pool of skilled workforce that is well aligned with latest technology features / requirements for equipment operations and service.

Moreover, trained and skilled equipment operators are essential not only for completion of projects on time and within the desired quality parameters but also from the point of view of safety as most construction and mining equipment are operated in a hazardous environment where adherence to safety norms/standards is imperative. IESC is also in the process of aligning its qualifications in line with global standards so as to ensure ease of overseas placement of candidates.

What are the challenges & measures adopted by IESC to clear them?

A key challenge being faced by the construction equipment sector is the high cost involved in training operators and mechanics, viz-a-viz other sectors, by the virtue of the high capex & opex involved. Compensation of IESC’s training cost therefore needs to be enhanced from the current level of Rs. 49/hr to Rs. 160/hr by the Govt.

Further, there is no regulatory requirement for employment of trained and certified construction equipment operators and mechanics in India. In view of the increase in demand for CE operators and mechanics in future, and on account of safety requirements with regard to operation of construction equipment, it is important that the Government may consider mandating employment of trained & certified Construction Equipment Operators and Mechanics in India across projects. The Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA) alongwith IESC has represented to the Government on this issue.

Another area of concern is the low appeal for construction equipment operator job roles amongst the youth considering the arduous & remote working conditions where such equipment operate. There is therefore a strong need to make equipment operator and mechanic job roles more attractive and lucrative for the youth.

How does IESC plan to attract more candidates towards its training initiatives?

As mentioned earlier, a key challenge with respect to attracting candidates for Equipment operator job roles is the low appeal of such roles amongst the youth. IESC, alongwith OEMs, therefore, needs to generate awareness about the use of high-end technologies, telematics, electronics, comfort features in equipment, etc. so as to create interest amongst the youth for operator job roles.

Greater visibility also needs to be provided on the career progression opportunity for candidates. For example, a junior operator or mechanic basis training and experience can graduate to become a master operator or mechanic or a supervisor overtime.

IESC is also in discussion with OEMs to create qualifications for higher NSQF level (level 6 and above) job roles as well as future skills in the Construction Equipment Industry, so as to cater to managerial / supervisory level skill requirements.

OEMs, as a part of their corporate CSR initiatives, are also engaging with youth from villages and underprivileged communities in the country to promote equipment operator and mechanic trainings.

Further, IESC is also seeking to expand its equipment portfolio so as to include additional products under its list of job roles with the objective of widening its scope of coverage.

IESC also plans to actively engage with candidates and stakeholders on social media platforms such as LinkedIN, Facebook, etc. to enhance its reach.

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