IESC works closely with OEMs, Component Manufacturers and End Users in identifying skill requirements and trends.

Vijay Kumar, CEO – Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council (IESC)

How does IESC contribute to skill development in the construction and infrastructure equipment sector?

IESC is the apex body for skilling related activities in the Construction Equipment Industry in India and acts as an interface between the Government (Central & State) and the Industry on subjects related to skilling. IESC works closely with NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation of India) and the apex regulator NCVET. All IESC Job roles are aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) IESC performs the following services

Skill Mapping in the Sector: Identifying Skill Gaps, Development of National Occupational Standards (NOS), Development of sector specific skill development plans and creation of Qualification Packs for Job Roles.

Affiliation of Training Partners (TPs) and Accreditation of Training Centers: A systematic process is in place for Affiliation of a Training Partner with IESC.

Training of Trainers: Planning and execution of Training of Trainers programs (ToT) to create a pool of Trainers across the country in various Job Roles and Creation of Master Trainers.

Assessment & Certification of Candidates: Assessment & Certification of candidates through IESC nominated Assessment Agencies are done upon successful completion of the training programme.

Upgradation of Qualifications: Tracking Technology changes in the Industry, Introduction of New Job Roles, Adoption of and alignment to global best practices and Exploring future skills with Industry partners.

Which specific job roles or equipment categories do the training programs cover?

IESC presently has 28 job roles that are NSQF aligned. These include Operator job roles for Equipment such as Backhoe Loaders, Wheel Loaders, Excavators, Compactors, Cranes, Pavers Hot Mix Plants and Batching plants amongst many others. These job roles cover almost 90 % of the Construction Equipment (by volume) sold in the country. In addition, there are Technician Job Roles in the Areas of Engines, Hydraulics and Electrical/Electronics and Instrumentation.  These would provide a solid grounding for technicians engaged in supporting the Equipment in the field. IESC also has two Supervisory roles – in Maintenance and in Plant and Machinery. These would be very beneficial for Workshop Managers and Field Service Managers.

On an average 100,000 equipment of various types are sold in a year. These would require 200,000 operators and about 7000 trained technicians in the field every year. Our qualifications ensure that the operators and technicians are skilled systematically and professionally and get the best out of the Equipment. This is critical because of Productivity, Safety and Efficiency gains.

Can you provide an outline of the curriculum for the training programs offered by IESC? How are the training modules designed to ensure a balance between theory and practical hands-on experience?

The Qualifications or Qualification Packs are essentially Course Outlines for each Job Role. These are built on National Occupational Standards (NOS) which specify the standard of performance an individual must achieve when carrying out a function in the workplace. Let’s take a look at an Equipment Operator Job Role. Of course, he needs to be trained on how to operate the machine. But additionally, our Qualifications will include Pre-Checks on the Equipment, Basic Troubleshooting as well as Safety and Environment aspects. These would ensure that the Operator is more complete in his understanding of the Equipment and the Environment in which he is working than he would be, otherwise. We have also recently added Employability skills to the Qualifications. These would include basic Communication skills, Financial and Computer literacy, hence our Qualifications are designed to deliver a more complete package.

These Qualifications have been developed by teams of Industry experts with deep insights into the requirements of different categories of Equipment. Our range of equipment includes broadly – Earthmoving, Road Building, Concrete, Material Handling and Mineral Processing. Within each category there are multiple types of Equipment. So, the scope and range are enormous and this requires deep knowledge of the Equipment and their usage. Hence Industry support has been crucial in building these course curricula.

The course includes elements of Classroom or Theory sessions, hands-on training as well as on the job training. The classroom sessions are roughly 30 % of the total duration and the rest is hands-on. Some Training Centres have also begun use of simulators to assist the learning process.

Does IESC collaborate with any training institutes, colleges, or industry partners to deliver its training programs?

IESC works with OEMs in running Training programmes at their Training Centres or their field locations. IESC also works with Private Training Partners who have Affiliated with it on its Job Roles. IESC has also associated with Academic institutions in delivering Training Programmes. IESC is currently also exploring collaboration with institutions of higher learning in developing courses that would increase awareness of our Industry amongst students. This would include knowledge of the types of Equipment, their usage, economics of operation, maintenance practices, Spare parts Planning and Warehousing.

How are the assessments conducted to evaluate the trainees’ skills and knowledge?

The Criteria for assessment for Qualification Packs has been laid down based on the NOS’s. Each Performance Criteria (PC) has been assigned marks proportional to its importance within NOS and weightages have also been given among the NOSs accordingly. The assessment of the theory/knowledge will be based on written test/viva or both while skill test shall be hands on and practical. Behaviour and attitude will be assessed while performing the assigned task. The assessment shall be done as per the guidelines formulated by IESC. Question papers are created from Question Banks that have been compiled.

What efforts are made to connect trained individuals with relevant job opportunities in the industry?

It is estimated that only a small percentage of the approximately 15 Lakh equipment operators and mechanics, currently employed across Infrastructure projects across India, are trained and certified. IESC therefore works 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 training, non-funded training, which involve participation of the private sector, are also essential to fast-track skilling in the construction equipment sector. OEM CSR funds as well as other funds are utilized in providing freshers with skills.

How does IESC collaborate with the construction and infrastructure equipment industry to understand skill requirements and trends?

IESC works closely with OEMs, Component Manufacturers and End Users in identifying skill requirements and trends. Industry studies such as the Vision 2030 give a broad overview of Technology trends and skill requirements. A Technology road map for the Industry is also being outlined along with the concomitant Skills Road map. Interactions and workshops with stakeholders are held to identify more specific areas that need focus.

For example, during Bauma Conexpo an upskilling exercise was conducted with the help of OEMs that focused on specific topics such as the use of Telematics, Selection of Attachments, Identification of Components and so on. The focus areas were identified based on an Industry focus group activity. A similar exercise is planned during EXCON 2023.

A round table on Future Skills was also held with inputs from an Overseas Expert. The key focus areas that emerged were Digitized Processes, Core Connectivity and Machine Diagnostics. These areas are currently being explored.

The 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.

IESC works closely with Industry to ensure that the Skilling programmes are in tune with such changes in technology to optimize utilization of the tools that are available. The benefits that accrue would include – Increased productivity and efficiency, decreased vehicle down time, Increased Safety, Reduced project completion time and cost and Improved quality of work.

There is also increased utilization of Simulators to enhance the learning process.

What are the future plans and initiatives of IESC to enhance skill development in the sector?

IESC is focusing on a few key levers in expanding its scope and scale:

Increasing OEM linkages and Collaborations IESC is actively engaging with the Central Govt. and State Government bodies to drive skill development initiatives.

IESC is also in the process of expanding its Training partner base to cater to the higher demand for skilled Equipment operators and Technicians pan India. (Training of the Trainers, 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.

Of course rolling out of Programmes that would encompass Future Skills would be a key Focus area.

Key Challenges

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 virtue of the high capex & opex involved. Compensation of IESC’s training cost therefore needs to be re-evaluated by the Government.

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