Tata Hitachi has trained and certified over 2000 operators and mechanics in the last two years under the RPL4

– BKR Prasad

Head- Marketing & Product Development, Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery Company

How are skill development initiatives progressing in the country for equipment operators?

Finding trained and skilled manpower for the operation and maintenance of machines is a major challenge for the Construction Equipment (CE) industry in India where the annual requirement for trained machine operators is high. As per the CE industry vision plan 2030, construction equipment sales are projected to increase 3 times to around 2,50,000-2,60,000 units by 2030. It is estimated that more than 3 million equipment operators and mechanics will be required to operate and service construction equipment between FY 22-23 and FY 29-30.

Fortunately, the focus on training and skill enhancement is on the rise, especially after the announcement of the Skill India mission and the formation of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and various sector skill councils are driving this initiative. There are schemes for freshers (30-day PMKVY program) and for people who require refresher training to enhance their skills (RPL- Recognition of Prior Learning). The CE industry has the Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council (IESC) as its sector skill council which looks after critical training needs for the operators

The importance of skill requirements is gradually being realized by the users of earthmoving machines. Today, most customers insist on employing trained and skilled operators and mechanics. However, the substantially high cost involved in training the operators and mechanics is a major reason for the limited presence of training centers across the country. Currently, training is conducted mainly by OEMs at their manufacturing locations or at selected dealerships.

What is the support from the government in operator training/skill development?

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) focuses on skill development through NSDC and has schemes under the PMKVY that have a well-defined training and certification framework not only for beginners but also for experienced operators and mechanics through schemes such as the RPL-4.

IESC under ICEMA is dedicated to the skilling and certification of operators and mechanics and has created a healthy skilling ecosystem. Almost all OEMs and major distributors are members of IESC. However, challenges remain at the trainee mobilization level. Also, in view of the increase in demand for CE operators in the future, and on account of safety requirements in the operation of construction equipment, it is crucial to mandate certification of operators. So, IESC is working with the Government to mandate certification for the operators.

How is the scarcity of skilled operators affecting the prospects of the construction equipment market?

The scarcity of skilled operators has a negligible impact on the CE industry because the helper on the machine gradually assumes the role of the operator whenever he gets an opportunity. The operator acts as his guide and teaches him the basics. This allows the helper to operate the machine on the actual job site when the production and skill requirements are less demanding. Gradually, the helper gains confidence and when a new machine is added to their employer’s fleet, the senior operator operates the new machine while the helper steps into the old one as an operator.

However, the biggest disadvantage of this system is that the helper will imbibe only those skills that the senior operator has imparted which could be limited by the experience of those machines which the senior operator has operated. The operator will not be aware of the machine’s efficiency and productivity resulting from the latest technologies adopted. Consequently, the customer is deprived of the benefits resulting from technological advancements. Such operators also have limited knowledge of the maintenance and safety practices to be followed. Since construction equipment has the potential to cause severe accidents, investing in operator training is necessary for the government, equipment manufacturers, and customers to create safer workplaces and improve productivity.

How are the operator training initiatives progressing at the company?

Being a leader in the Indian CE industry Tata Hitachi initiated an operator training program way back in 2012 with an operator training center housed in the Kharagpur plant. Tata Hitachi has trained and certified over 2000 operators and mechanics in the last two years under the RPL4.

Additionally, our training centers in Kharagpur and Dharwad are equipped with simulators, Excavators, Backhoe Loaders, and dedicated trainers. The company trains unemployed youth mobilized by various NGOs as Junior Excavator operators and prepares them to be employed by customers. They undergo a 15-day training at Tata Hitachi’s Training Centers following which they are certified by IESC, post clearing an assessment conducted by an external assessor. Apart from learning to operate the machine, they also learn to carry out basic maintenance of the machine.

What are the latest technologies used in the operator training programme?

The work of an excavator goes far beyond digging and basic control manipulation.

Skilled operators require precision and in-depth knowledge of the equipment. In addition, excavators are used in applications as diverse as mining, crusher feeding, digging trenches, and demolition. Since different applications require different skill sets, it is extremely difficult to create all application scenarios in a single training center. However, this can be achieved through a simulator – a realistic replica of the actual machine- that replicates the machine dynamics perfectly. It provides the trainees with a safe environment where they can refine their skills and improve their productivity and efficiency in different applications. Furthermore, a simulator can do a practical evaluation of the trainee and give them a report card on every aspect of their performance. In Tata-Hitachi apart from actual machines, simulators are used for excavator operators as well as dumpers and wheel loader operation. Tata Hitachi’s Dharwad training center is equipped with portable simulators which are ferried to customer sites for field training of operators.

What are your future plans for operator training activities?

At Tata-Hitachi we value the contribution of operators to our organization’s growth. Hence, we partner with our dealers to increase the number of our operator training centers to create more employment opportunities

After the training, it is ideal that the trainees are deployed for On-the-Job Training (OJT) at actual work sites. This would go a long way in enabling them to augment their acquired skills with real-world experience in operating the machines. Tata Hitachi is in the process of partnering with customers to provide opportunities for such OJTs.

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