Construction industry has a lot to benefit from on-site training that doesn’t take the workers away from their wages. LabourNet’s work integrated training models along with RPL have successfully made their way into the skill development frameworks that strive for sustained livelihoods and social security. Here are some stories from different trades in construction that convey the value of vocational training as experienced by the trainees themselves.
I am Arbind Kumar Singh, working as a bar bender at the TATA site in Bengaluru. I am from Bihar and come from a family of farmers. I studied in my village school till 10th standard but could not complete my education due to my family’s financial condition. In order to help my parents, I decided to take up a job to support my family and landed in Bengaluru. I got a job as a helper on a construction site, but after a few months I was asked to do bar bending. When I started, I did not know anything about bar bending but my supervisor taught me the basics of the job.
At this site I was told about the on-site training conducted by LabourNet. I got enrolled for training and started learning the technicality of bar bending including how to use a power tool for cutting and bending, understand drawings and safety. The learning card used during training was really informative and the practical training helped me understand how to work on the site. After the training, my supervisor was really happy about the way I work. I earn Rs.12, 000 per month and I hope to earn much better with my advanced skills so that I can support my family.
I am Ramesh, working as a mason in Bengaluru. I am 25 years old and come from a large family in Bihar. As I’m the eldest, I had to leave school to support my family of four sisters and one brother after my father’s untimely death. I wanted a job to support my family, I was not sure who would give me a job, I took up some odd jobs for daily wage but it was not continuous. Then I took up a job at a construction site as a helper and was put to work under a mason.
Over the last four year I have learnt on my own and with the various supervisor some of the skills but after coming to the Simplex site my supervisor asked me to attend the on-site training that was conducted by LabourNet. The training was very helpful for me to understand the tools, how to mix mortar, brick laying procedure and how to set door and windows which has helped me recognize my prior learning (RPL)and also certify my experience. In Bihar when I was doing the same work I was getting paid Rs 350 per day but now I am earning Rs 600 per day which has helped me in supporting my family.
I am Subash Sardar, working as a shuttering carpenter in Bengaluru. I am 23 years old and come from Nijagram in West Bengal. My family has a small farm in our village where we cultivate mustard. I went to the local government school but stopped schooling in my 8th standard as I was not interested in school. My father tried to teach me how to take care of the farm and asked me to take up farming but that did not interest me at all. I told my family that I wanted to do something different.
A friend of mine told me about construction work, the types of jobs and the places we can learn about it. I found this very interesting and found a contractor who gave me a job, he first put me on his site in the local city, and this was for SPCL. I worked there for one year learned the basics of shuttering carpentry. Then I came to Bengaluru and started working; my contractor enrolled me for the onsite course with LabourNet. I learned many things in the course including safety which is most important. My family is very happy that I am working and learning and my dream is to become a supervisor and earn Rs.1000 per day which will make my family and me very proud.
I am Sandeep a from Haryana. After completing my ITI training I was not clear about my future. My friend recommended a course being conducted by Labournet and told me that I could undergo Industry oriented training which will enable me to get the right job. I underwent the SHE (Safety, Health & Environment) course, where I was given both Theory + OJT (on the job) training to enhance my professional skills.
We had trainers with10-20 years experience in the Construction Sector, hence they were able to guide us using practical and real life examples along with audio-visual videos and learning cards. The on-job experience of working at the metro site was very enriching. I want to thank LabourNet and the entire team of faculty members for guiding me and helping be build a career as a SHE professional.
