Kobelco is involved in upskilling the competency starting from Mini excavators (3-ton) to gigantic excavators up to 85-ton capacity.

What kind of construction equipment operator training and skilling is provided by your company?

Operator skill levels affect machine productivity and performance, and when an operator is undertrained or under skilled, equipment performance may suffer significantly. For manufacturers of machinery with hi-tech systems (equipped with mechatronics) and electronic controls, this is particularly difficult.

Our first emphasis is on the safety of the operator, their surroundings and the equipment. The agenda behind these trainings is to make our operators safe, create employment and increasing the ROI of customers.

Kobelco is involved in upskilling the competency (skill & knowledge) starting from Mini excavators (3-ton) to gigantic excavators up to 85-ton capacity. The competency levels vary from basic, medium advanced and master level (Train-the-trainers). Skill training involves operation in various applications, such as sand quarry, blue metal quarry, irrigation projects, mining projects, tunnel applications, etc. We supply special attachments based on customer applications that require special operating skills. We train the operators in those special attachments, for example long reach, telescopic arm, clam shell, breakers, vibro boom.

How is the operator training program structured?

Training programs are structured based on needs in two categories. The first category is Standard excavator operator training, and the second is special attachment operator training.

Standard operator training is meant for freshers and experienced operators. To give them a hands-on experience on the latest world class “Kobelco Technology”, features and benefits of our excavator’s operation, maintenance, special features, safety accessories, devices, and safe and productive operations.

Special attachment training is given to our customer’s operators who are first time purchasers of our special attachments and need training on how to operate, dos and don’ts, etc for those attachments.

What specific topics are covered in the operator training program like equipment operation and controls, safety procedures and protocols, preventive maintenance etc.?

Our operator trainings are focused on the following topics:

Production improvement, fuel saving, usage of Kobelco’s unique features of mini to meg size machines, and safety practices before operating the machine, while operating, and after completion of operations. Other topics are proper usage of operator digital monitors, usage of troubleshooting codes and safety warnings to conduct basic level troubleshooting, carry out preventive and schedule maintenance.

We also emphasise on some technical topics that may enhance machine productivity, like reading & understanding of electricals, hydraulics, mechanical and safety symbols and codes. A special session is conducted on dos and don’ts for reducing downtime, increasing machine available time, increasing productivity with optimum fuel consumption.

How do you assess the effectiveness of your operator training programs?

We conduct most of the trainings on need basis. So, before starting the trainings, our team interact with the actual participants, managers, supervisors, and machine owners and list out all their requirements. We ensure, all their requirements are covered in our classroom and practical trainings. We conduct On Job Training assessment before starting the training to understand their current level of competency, and conduct post assessment tests so that all the stakeholders will be involved in understanding the training’s effectiveness. Post training feedback is collected from participants, and the same is discussed at the end of the training. Team also interacts with their immediate supervisors and owners on a regular basis to assess the effectiveness of our training.

Do you collaborate with external entities or organizations to enhance operator training?

Kobelco is a member of IESC (Infrastructure Equipment Skill council). This ensures that we follow the training guidelines agreed upon with the Government of India skill council. Successfully trained operators are provided with training certificates. All our training centres and trainers are assessed and certified by IESC. As a professional excavator company, our trainers interact with other excavator manufacturers (OEM) trainers and share good practices for the betterment of our operator training skills. We visit, other OEMs training facilities to understand their processes and upgrade our facilities to make them at par with industrial standards.

How do you envision the future of operator training in the CE manufacturing industry? Are there any specific areas your company plans to focus on in the coming years?

Operators at Kobelco are a performing lot, who give their best in the working environment provided by Kobelco. We believe that operators are the most vital element for delivering on the design potential of any construction equipment. It is for this reason that they are at the focus of our efforts to deliver a high-productivity and reliable machine.

In the present and future, infrastructure development is part of our nation’s growth. Excavators and their operators are inevitable in this future development. Considering the number of excavators sold in the Indian market, the availability of trained operators is less than the demand. To fulfil the demanding operators’ requirements, we keep on conducting small “Operator Meets cum Training Sessions” at all strategic locations to brush-up their skills and to keep them properly briefed and motivated to achieve the highest standards.

What challenges do you face in providing effective operator training and how do you overcome them?

As a nation, we appreciate the unity in diversity of various states, religions, cultures, and customs. In this diversity, the major challenge faced by any trainer is the language to communicate with the operators. However, here at Kobelco, we have highly experienced trainers with decades of training experience. Our trainers are multilingual and can conduct operator training in any state.

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